Paola Campos
Paola Campos is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She hopes to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Masters in Athletic Training. Paola has worked as a Physical Therapy aide for the past 3 years in various clinics around Spokane. She loves getting to know every patient, working under Physical Therapists, and watching patients’ recovery journeys. Paola has always wanted to pursue Physical Therapy. Toucan Abroad, a program that takes you abroad to shadow Physical Therapists internationally, helped confirm Physical Therapy was going to open many paths to help people throughout her professional career. Paola was accepted as a McNair scholar in winter of 2023. For her Summer 2024 Research Internship, she investigated the lack of interpreters for people with English as their second language in the Physical Therapy field, alongside her mentor Dr. Fahed Mehyar. Paola’s research was presented August 15, 2024 at the McNair Summer Research Symposium.
Paola Campos está cursando su Licenciatura en Ciencias del Ejercicio, para obtener su Doctorado en Fisioterapia y Maestría en Entrenamiento Atlético. Paola ha trabajado como asistente de fisioterapia durante los últimos 3 años en diferentes clínicas en Spokane Wa. Le fascina conocer a los pacientes y trabajar con diferentes terapeutas observando el progreso de recuperación en ellos. Su deseo siempre fue obtener una licenciatura en fisioterapia. Ha tenido la increíble oportunidad de observar a los fisioterapeutas en Puerto Vallarta a través de Tucán Abroad. Fue una experiencia que la impulsó a decidir qué la fisioterapia era definitivamente el camino a seguir. Paola fue aceptada como becaria McNair en el invierno de 2023. Para su proyecto de investigación en este verano 2024. Espera investigar la falta de intérpretes para personas con inglés como segundo idioma en el campo de la fisioterapia junto con su mentor, el Dr. Fahed Mehyar.
2024 EWU Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Fahed Mehyar
Research Title: Strategies Used by Physical Therapists to Improve Physical Therapy Sessions for Patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) : A Physical Therapists Perspective
Research Abstract: The percentage of people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the United States is growing rapidly, creating a need for culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare. Previous studies have focused on improving hospital and doctor visits for patients with LEP. Studies have also been done investigating barriers between patients with LEP and therapists in inpatient rehabilitation settings. However, little research has been done investigating strategies used by physical therapists in outpatient settings. Language barriers between patient and clinician can lead to miscommunication and may increase the number of visits for the patient. This research will identify strategies used by outpatient physical therapists to enhance physical therapy for patients with LEP. For this research, data was collected using surveys and semi structured interviews. Results show that physical therapists have different techniques to try and communicate with patients who are LEP. The most frequently used technique is making sure to use a translator when translators are available. When no translators are available, keeping the session and exercises simple is key for ensuring effective communication. Studies following this research can continue to focus on ways to improve physical therapy both for the patients with LEP and the therapists during their session.
Another Great Summer of Research at McNair!
