Really Helpful Patient Handouts

When I am teaching a new idea, technique or principle to a patient I have found handouts to be really helpful. The whole point is for carry-over from therapy to everyday life and since I am not there all the time, a quick picture and explanation has proved very helpful. Here is a link I use all the time that I hope you find useful!

Ohio State University Medical Center Patient Education Materials


Some of my favorites are:
*Do's and Don'ts with Low Back Pain
*Using Equipment to Help in Daily Activities After Your Total Hip Replacement
*Activities to Improve Fine Motor Coordination in Hands
*Putting on a Button Up Shirt with One Hand
*Doing Daily Activities with One Hand

Hunting and Fishing with Disabilities

I recently had a patient with a below the knee amputation who when I asked, "What sorts of things do you want to work on getting back to?" responded, "Hunting, fishing, playing outside with my kids."  At first I really believe he was saying these things to be sarcastic (although to me these are completely reasonable goals, I'm not sure at this point he realized they were attainable). To his surprise on the next visit (with the guidance of a local Physical Therapist Assistant), I brought him a nice stack of print-outs on handicap accessible fishing sites in his area and information on obtaining a hunting license for people with disabilities. He accepted it, smiled, and said, "I never knew there was such a thing." Until the day I searched and found these resources on the website for the state's Division of Natural Resources, neither one of us knew they existed.

Take home messages:
*Don't let patients give up on the things they love
*Ask locals for advice
*Google is your friend
*Check out your state's website on the Division (Agency) of Natural Resources or Department of Fish and Wildlife for info on hunting/fishing options with disabilities