A new “tool” in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s physical therapist assistant program is enhancing students’ hands-on learning experience.
The program recently began using a SynDaver G3 anatomy model, a medical-grade silicone model of the human neuromuscular, vascular and organ systems.
The full-body model shows major organs and neural structures, as well as every muscle, bone, joint and tendon. As students move a body part – for instance, raising the model’s arm – they can both see and feel how a variety of connected muscles move.
Christine L. Tilburg (second from left), clinical director of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s physical therapist assistant program, teaches students about muscle movement using a SynDaver G3 anatomy model
“Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are experts in human movement,” explained Victoria Hurwitz, director of the college’s physical therapist assistant program. “We are already using this in our curriculum as a unique way for our students to visualize the body systems.”
In a Clinical Kinesiology course – one of the first classes students in the program take – instructors use the model to show where muscles begin and end.
“It is a lot easier for me to visualize the origins and insertions of muscles in a life-sized model compared to seeing them in a textbook,” said Jessica D. Beasom, of South Williamsport, a first-year student taking the class.
“They can see the line of pull so they can more fully see how the muscles work and function,” said Christine A. Tilburg, clinical director of physical therapist assistant, who teaches Clinical Kinesiology. “When they are treating patients, they’ll better visualize how a muscle works normally, as well as learn when they see a muscle working differently.”
“It’s an alternative to a human cadaver lab,” Hurwitz said. “Now our students have access to this all the time, and we are very fortunate.”
Penn College physical therapist assistant students also gain hands-on knowledge by practicing physical therapy skills and interventions in the college’s well-equipped physical therapist assistant lab. In addition, each student completes three clinical education experiences, available with more than 65 diverse organizations offering opportunities in inpatient, outpatient, long-term and specialty care.
While housed in the physical therapist assistant lab, the SynDaver anatomy model is available to all of the college’s health sciences programs. The college offers degrees in allied health, biomedical sciences, dental hygiene, nursing, physical therapist assistant, physician assistant, prehospital medicine, radiography and surgical technology, as well as an online bachelor’s completion degree in healthcare leadership & administration and a certificate in paramedic.
To learn more about the School of Nursing & Health Sciences’ academic offerings, call 570-327-4520.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.