Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Paola Campos for completing her McNair Summer Research Internship!
She worked with mentor Dr. Fahed Mehyar on her summer 2024 research, “Strategies Used by Physical Therapists to Improve Physical Therapy Sessions for Patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) : A Physical Therapists Perspective”. Paola’s research was presented August 15, 2024 at the McNair Summer Research Symposium.
Of her research, Paola explains:
The percentage of people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the United States is growing rapidly, creating a need for culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare. Previous studies have focused on improving hospital and doctor visits for patients with LEP. Studies have also been done investigating barriers between patients with LEP and therapists in inpatient rehabilitation settings. However, little research has been done investigating strategies used by physical therapists in outpatient settings. Language barriers between patient and clinician can lead to miscommunication and may increase the number of visits for the patient. This research will identify strategies used by outpatient physical therapists to enhance physical therapy for patients with LEP.
Paola Campos is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She hopes to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Masters in Athletic Training. Paola has worked as a Physical Therapy aide for the past 3 years in various clinics around Spokane. She loves getting to know every patient, working under Physical Therapists, and watching patients’ recovery journeys. Paola has always wanted to pursue Physical Therapy. Toucan Abroad, a program that takes you abroad to shadow Physical Therapists internationally, helped confirm Physical Therapy was going to open many paths to help people throughout her professional career.
