The occupational therapy department at Missouri State University believes strongly in giving their students clinical experience while learning the curriculum.
The OT faculty created learning spaces to serve the dual-purpose of educating their students and treating patients in need.
“By creating those treatment spaces, we were able to open the clinic Tuesday through Thursday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. during the fall and spring semester,” said Dr. Traci Garrison , clinical assistant professor. During these times, students work in the clinic under the supervision of licensed OTs to evaluate and treat clients.
How the clinic operates
Clinic operations center around the curriculum taught in the OT program.
“In the springtime, we tend to offer more pediatric openings because that is what our students are learning about at that time,” Garrison said.
The clinic then focuses on adults in the fall semester as the curriculum shifts to this population. This allows students to integrate the information they are learning in class into real-world situations.
Services offered
The clinic offers free services to those in the Springfield community who do not have access to health care and insurance.
“We work with clients of all ages who need help performing everyday activities,” Garrison said.
These activities may include:
- Eating.
- Meeting developmental milestones.
- Social interactions.
- Driving a car.
- Adapting to injury.
If you think you may benefit from occupational therapy services, contact the clinic at OccupationalTherapy@missouristate.edu or call 417-836-6190.