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Physical therapist changes education and lives as a medical volunteer in Guatemala
Last year, volunteers for the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation screened 170 children.
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Since 2007, Susan L. Michlovitz, PT, PhD, CHT, has worked to improve the care of patients and the education of physical and occupational therapists in Guatemala as a volunteer for the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation.
The mission of the nonprofit organization is to enhance the quality and availability of health care within the country through education, surgery and therapy. The foundation specializes in the treatment of affecting hand and upper extremity injuries and congenital hand differences.
Michlovitz’s most recent mission with the group was in October. She cited the nature of the Guatemalan people as one of the reasons why she returns to the country to volunteer.
“Even though there is some violence in Guatemala City and the people live under those conditions, the majority of the people that we work with are friendly and appreciative, so there is personal satisfaction in that,” she told Orthopedics Today. “In fact, I think that we sometimes take more back than we give. Also I have been in physical therapy education for decades, and I enjoy working with therapists on clinical problem solving.”
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Images: Michlovitz SL |
Seminars and screening
As a volunteer, Michlovitz embarked on the 12-day medical mission with a group consisting of hand surgeons, medical residents, therapy students, physical and occupational hand therapists, nurses, anesthesiologists, and lay people. The surgeons and therapists began the mission by leading a 2-day bilingual educational seminar for the Guatemalan therapists and physicians.
The visiting medical professionals then conduct a screening day to evaluate children who are referred to the group by partnering organizations such as the Pediatric Foundation of Guatemala and Partners in Surgery. In addition, children from the country-side travel as long as 9 hours to attend the screening to determine if they are candidates for surgery, hand therapy or other services. Last year, the group saw 170 children on screening day. The next 5 days were spent performing surgery and therapy.
Michlovitz said that she did not know what to expect at her first screening in 2007. “We came in a line through the waiting room, and there were parents sitting with their children just looking at us and I just started to cry,” Michlovitz, a physical therapist specializing in hand and upper extremities from Ithaca, NY, said. “It was overwhelming because they are all thinking you are here to help fix our kids. There are a lot of hugs and tears of both sadness and joy.”
Overwhelming experiences
She recalled her experience with a young boy who came to that screening. He became paralyzed in 1999 after being shot in the neck.
“He wanted to be able to move his fingers better so that he could write independently, finish high school and go to college,” Michlovitz said. The boy was selected for a tendon transfer.
“I worked with him postoperatively when he had his splints made and when he had the opportunity to bend his fingers for the first time [in] 8 years,” she said. “[I] have seen him each time I have gone back for follow-up when he comes to screening day. It has been wonderful to see how he has progressed and is able to function more independently.”
During the missions, Michlovitz travels to different hospitals within the city to work with physical and occupational therapists and their patients. She often sees patients who have had a stroke, those with burn injuries that result in severe contractures and deformities, and those with nerve injuries.
“We have seen patients who have had other trauma such as spinal cord injuries either through a work-related accident or unfortunately through street violence,” she said. “We have seen a number of patients who have suffered gunshot wounds and some have been shot in the neck and are quadriplegic.”
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New concepts
For the past 2 years, Michlovitz has provided a seminar at a military hospital in the city for the therapist students and faculty. She noted that physical therapists in Guatemala receive 3 years of professional education after high school, and some go on to receive a college degree.
“Many of the courses that we have that are standard in our curriculum are not taught in Guatemala, so we have been introducing some of those concepts to them,” she said. She teaches the group about joint mobilization techniques and evidence-based practice. She noted that therapist education in the country does not focus on evaluation and examination techniques, and that treatment plans are often determined by physicians.
“I am not sure that they have much information on pharmacology or the role of imaging studies in their curriculum,” Michlovitz said. “Many of the concepts that we bring to them are new and exciting within their armamentarium.”
Call to action
Lynn Bassini, MA, OTR, CHT, the founder of the organization called Michlovitz a perfect volunteer and cited her professionalism, flexibility, experience and passion for the field and teaching.
“On the spur of the moment, she can organize a group of therapists and students, engage them in a topic and facilitate their learning,” Bassini told Orthopedics Today. “She easily involves others, patients included, and makes them feel comfortable, stimulates discussion and excitement. She works well in a team and steps up when needed in a variety of roles that may present during this medical and educational experience.”
Bassini added, “She is resourceful and talented, always looking to help the foundation raising funds and preparing to embark on our journey.”
Michlovitz noted that those who are unable to go on a medical mission can help the group collect medical supplies or make a financial donation. A $200 to $250 donation can provide surgical services for one child, she said.
“I have learned that any small amount that you can do to help others in your profession, and patients and families who do not always have the health care opportunities that we have in this country, is extremely gratifying,” Michlovitz said.
For more information:
- Lynn Bassini, MA, OTR, CHT, is the founder of the Guatemala Healing Hands Foundation. She can be reached at 718-207-2081; 290 6th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215; e-mail: bklynhands@aol.com.
- Susan L. Michlovitz, PhD, PT, CHT is a physical therapist and Certified Hand Therapist and an adjunct associate professor for rehabilitative medicine at Columbia University. She can be reached at 903 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850-1530; 607-229-2165; e-mail: smichlovitz@gmail.com.
Reference:
- Those interested in becoming involved with the foundation can e-mail Mona Lipson at monalipson@hotmail.com, visit www.guatemalahands.org or send donations to GHHF, 290 6th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215.