Description of how a service learning experience can impact social responsibility.

1. Can Service Learning Enhance
Social Responsibility in
Students in Health Professions?
Julie Gahimer PT, HSD
Anne Mejia-Downs PT, MPH, PhD
Krannert School of Physical Therapy
7th International Symposium on Service Learning
Galway, Ireland
June 2017

3. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

4. Introduction
Core values of a doctoring profession:
 Accountability
 Altruism
 Compassion and Caring
 Excellence
 Integrity
 Professional Duty
 Social Responsibility

5. Purpose
Describe how a service learning experience can be used
to impact the complex construct of social responsibility
for students in programs of health professions
Service
Learning
Social
Responsibility
Students in
Health
Professions

6. Social Responsibility
• American Physical Therapy Association: “Promotion
of a mutual trust between the profession and the
larger public that necessitates responding to societal
needs for health and wellness”
• Social Responsibility is the most difficult core value
to impart and measure
• “Learned and lasting professional ethos of
citizenship”
(APTA; McGinnis, 2016; Crandell, 2013)

7. PT 635: Service Learning Course
• Poverty Simulation: exposure to low-resources
population
• 30 hours working directly with individuals different
from themselves
• Written Reflection Includes Social Responsibility
– How does this experience relate to broader social/political
issues?
– How does this experience connect with social
responsibility?

8. Evaluation of Social Responsibility
• A grading rubric is used to evaluate the level of
understanding of social responsibility
• Desired response:
– Considers a broad range of perspectives
– Pays attention to and demonstrates respect for others’
viewpoints
– Demonstrates ability to link the experiences to a broader
context
– Demonstrates expanded or reconsidered personal views

9. Sample Indicators From APTA
1. Advocating for and
participating in health
and wellness needs in
society
2. Promoting cultural
competence
3. Promoting appropriate
laws, regulations, and
guidelines
4. Promoting
volunteerism
5. Providing leadership
6. Participating in
collaborative
relationships
7. Ensuring social justice
and economic
efficiency

10. Advocating For and Participating in
Health and Wellness Needs in Society
• “PTs can…advocate and support the American Disabilities Act
and mandates for community-based care...” (Camp for
children with mental disabilities)
• “We have a social responsibility to not only serve those we
treat, but to also promote a lifestyle of health promotion and
service for society as a whole.” (Camp for children with
physical disabilities)

11. Promoting Cultural Competence
• “Those who judge someone who is in a wheelchair could be
educated on the fact that they are not seeing the whole
person, only the chair.” (Camp for children with physical
disabilities)
• “Their set of life circumstances is different, but their
community and heart is the same as mine.” (Poverty center)

12. Promoting Appropriate Laws,
Regulations, and Guidelines
• “By joining with law enforcement, educating people, and
advocating for survivors, physical therapists can be leaders in the
community in the effort to combat human trafficking.” (Human
trafficking organization)
• “We can…advocate for legislation that will help to further
research and funding in the areas of muscular dystrophy to help
find a cure.” (Camp for children with physical disabilities)

13. Promoting Volunteerism
• “Through fundraisers and more awareness, the community
can help volunteer and support these programs to allow
children with disabilities to experience a life with less limits.”
(Adaptive sports program)
• “If we do not take the responsibility to use our knowledge
outside of our clinic’s walls, then we are not giving our
profession its due diligence.” (International service trip)

14. Providing Leadership
• “My life has been changed for the better after being an
assistant coach for the RHI Junior Racers.” (Adaptive sports
program)
• “…I could recruit a team for a “Walk-n-Roll” and then have my
team raise money and walk together to show support of those
affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy.” (Camp for children with
physical disabilities)

15. Participating in Collaborative
Relationships
• “Society has a responsibility to support relationship building.
Organizations must work together to advocate for programs
that encourage such community and acceptance.” (Ministry
outreach program)
• “I learned a lot from observing the interaction of these
organizations with each other and within the community, and
how to best meet various needs of the population.” (Boys and
Girls Club)

16. Ensuring Social Justice and
Economic Efficiency
• “I think we have a social responsibility as a society to make
important resources available to everyone who needs them,
not just those who can afford them.” (Camp for children with
physical disabilities)
• “As a profession it is our responsibility to continue to advocate
for patients dealing with disabilities even after they stop
receiving our services.” (Stroke camp for adults)

17. Conclusion

18. References
• American Physical Therapy Association. www.apta.org
• McGinnis PQ, Guenther LA, Wainwright SF. Development and
Integration of Professional Core Values Among Practicing
Clinicians. Phys Ther. 96(9); 2016:1417-1429.
• Crandell CE, Wiegand MR, Brosky JA. Examining the Role of
Service-Learning on Development of Professionalism in
Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: A Case Report. J Allied
Health. 42(1); 2013: e25-32.