The Cat in Shoes (alias “Puss n Boots”) – 9/22/2009

Often image is everything; sometimes it’s the only thing.

Cyndi Robinson and Meryl Gersh visited the National University of Physical Education and Sport of Moldova this morning and met the University Administration (Vice Chancellor or President, Vice Chancellor of Science, the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Therapy and Dr. Elena Caun, the head of the Faculty (Department) of Physical Therapy.  We were warmly welcomed and “official pictures” were taken in front of a wall of trophies and awards.  The main building of the Sport University is a magnificent structure – new, clean, up to date, with unbelievable sports, gymnastic, and fitness facilities, as well as state-of-the-art smart classrooms with the latest audiovisual technology.  Several saunas rivaled any spa in the U.S. and Cyndi and I decided we wanted to move right in.  This incredible structure is home to many of the academic sport programs at the University.  Unfortunately, the program in physical therapy is not one of them.

We were then escorted to the Physical Therapy Department, located in an old building “out back,” in disrepair, with none of the modern conveniences of the newer building.  Classrooms are small with no capacity for audiovisual support.  Students are taught from handmade posters and drawings, whose yellowing paper backgrounds indicate the age of both the poster and the science of practice on it.  We had to request to see the “lab” where students practice interventions three times, and were then shown a small room with three treatment tables.  Such austere facilities have even more of an impact when one learns that close to 125 physical therapy students comprise each class (learning teams of 25 students each).  With three treatment tables, how much practice time could each student possibly get?  We were assured that students also have some access to the facilities in the new building but we were never sure quite how much.  Fortunately, a new building (or full renovation of the old one, we’re not clear which) is scheduled for this coming year, so hopefully the physical therapy department will have a proper home in the future.

We met with the Dean and Department Head of Physical Therapy who were most welcoming to us and very interested in physical therapy education in the U.S.  They openly shared their curriculum, which on paper, resembles ours pretty closely, with foundational courses in anatomy, biomechanics, massage, procedures, and professional ethics, followed by systems courses in orthopedics, neurology, cardiopulmonary, and other topics.   Of course, it is difficult to know the content within each of these courses.  Dr. Caun was eager to collaborate with us in education and research and we were able to share some educational standards and outcome assessments with her.  We hope to be able to embark on some collaborative efforts in the future.

Meryl and Cyndi rubbing elbows with the President of Sport University

On another note, chaos reigned at the Neurology Institute later in the afternoon as Meryl tried to conduct an electrotherapy lab around a small table with 12 PT’s and 3 devices in the “occupational therapy” room.  There was much interest, many questions, everyone talking at once and our dear interpreter, Elena, trying to sort through the comments, questions, laughter, and “shocked” expressions.  The physical therapists (kinetotherapists) had never been exposed to electrotherapy before, and now have just two of Meryl’s lessons under their belts.  Still, they are an incredibly bright and dedicated group who also know how to have fun with their patients, each other, and visitors like us.  They’re looking forward to another lab tomorrow (we left after 6 p.m. and these guys work into the night!).

The first electrical stimulation lab

Other team members continue to do great work.  Margaret had a huge teaching day today.  35 people attended her seminar about developmental feeding skills.  She also taught a team how to administer the B and O, a developmental motor test for school-aged children.  Bev worked with a massage therapist at Republic Children’s Hospital, trading massage secrets.  She joined Margaret for the feeding seminar in the afternoon.  Sheri continues her important work, treating patients at the pediatric and adult burn units.  And the students, Janine and Irina, are our invaluable “tech support team.”  If we have any computer or equipment issues, they are right on top of things.  They fixed a computer glitch of Meryl’s on the fly during a lecture, and were able to fix a piece of equipment at the Neurology Institute and teach the PT’s how to program it.  They are learning a lot and are a terrific support to the team as a whole.

We laugh hard and share our stories around the dinner table each night, tasting and testing the wines of Moldova (some from wineries, some home-made – a scary thought!)  In fact, Meryl was offered a taste of home-made “Bailey’s Irish Cream” at the clinic this afternoon.  Actually, it wasn’t close to Bailey’s but, like all the “interesting patients” we see, this was one interesting beverage!

If you see pictures accompanying this blog entry, you know I had the tech support of Irina or Janine.  We are excited about the work, the terrific therapists and other folks, the highly motivated patients, and always grateful for the caring support of our interpreters, and Rodica and Vova, our MTI hosts.

La revedere (see you tomorrow – roughly),

Meryl Gersh