The DPT clinical education program at the UIC Department of Physical Therapy consists of two components:

• Half-day experiences for the student integrated within the class work portion of physical therapy education
• Full-time clinical rotations

In clinics, students are exposed to a variety of service delivery models:

• acute and rehabilitation hospitals
• outpatient clinics
• private practices
• school system physical therapy
• pediatric and geriatric residential facilities

Students are introduced to different patient populations such as pediatrics and geriatrics, as well as patients with neurological, orthopedic, and medical conditions who require physical therapy services. Students are able to see first hand the application of clinical practices discussed in class, such as evaluations and the use of modalities and exercises, and exposure to other aspects of clinical practice such as patient care conferences and rounds.

The UIC Department of Physical Therapy currently has affiliations with over 125 clinical facilities. While the majority of these facilities are located in Illinois and the Midwest, there are facilities all over the United States. Facilities are in urban, suburban, and rural locales.

Newsletters: Clinical Education Update, Summer 2008 [pdf]