On October 14th 2023 Dr. Steven Snyder from Western University of Health Sciences and Dr. Rajvinder Bains from University of the Pacific co-presented and facilitated an interprofessional workshop on Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy using a case-based approach at the U.C. Davis Pre-Health Conference at the U.C. Davis campus. The conference is an opportunity for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students at U.C Davis and the surrounding community to meet with representatives from health professions programs of all varieties including Medical Schools, P.T and O.T programs, veterinary programs and more. Attendees were able to learn about admissions processes, learn skills, background knowledge and career information from clinicians and faculty within health profession programs. The WesternU Admissions team had multiple members available throughout the conference to provide information and answer questions on all the amazing ways WesternU is different.
Drs. Snyder and Bains presented information on the roles and scope of both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and how each profession fits into the larger team in rehabilitation medicine. A case scenario was presented to attendees and used to launch discussions into similarities and differences between the professions and how each can interact with the same patient. Further discussion included how the two professions can work simultaneously in some settings and create a truly interprofessional approach to rehabilitation and improving health. Students engaged in discussions, practiced skills used in each profession and gained insight into future careers in the rehabilitation professions.