Publications
Publications for physical therapists, rehab professionals and educators
Reframing The Complex Patient - Addressing the Health Effects of Stress and Adversity
Physical Therapy Continuing Education - 3 part webinar with Andra DeVoght and Sarah Wenger
In this 3-part webinar series Sarah and Andra will explore the benefits of an integrative approach to the complex patient that puts understanding stress at the core of caregiving. Part one dives into the science of stress – the nuances of stress physiology, health effects of chronic stress, biobehavioral coping mechanisms, and the social determinants of health. Part two advocates for shifts in PT assessments and interventions that we can implement when we see our patients through the lens of stress science. This approach is aligned with the principles of trauma-informed care and biopsychosocial models. Part three discusses barriers to adopting this approach, opportunities for the PT profession to implement integrative models, and important boundaries and self-care for practitioners taking on comprehensive caregiving.
Integrative Rehabilitation Practice, The Foundations of Whole Person Care for Health Professionals
Edited by Matt Erb and Arlene Schmid
Chapter 4: Upstream Influences
by Andra DeVoght and Todd Davenport.
This chapter is a primer on the social determinants of health and their relevance to rehabilitation practice. Andra and Todd connect the dots between social circumstances, especially in early life, and future health outcomes. They then outline an approach to patient care, practice management and community involvement that helps rehab practitioners apply this science.
Considering Mental and Behavioral Health in Physical Therapy Patient Care
In this episode, experts explore how the mind and body intersect in the healing process, and how physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can provide better patient care by understanding the body’s response to stress and trauma.
Navigating the Intersection Between Persistent Pain and the Opioid Crisis: Population Health Perspectives for Physical Therapy
Todd E Davenport, Andra C DeVoght, Holly Sisneros, Stephen Bezruchka
Physical Therapy, Volume 100, Issue 6, June 2020, Pages 995–1007
Abstract:
The physical therapy profession has recently begun to address its role in preventing and managing opioid use disorder (OUD). This topic calls for discussion of the scope of physical therapist practice, and the profession’s role, in the prevention and treatment of complex chronic illnesses, such as OUD. OUD is not just an individual-level problem. Abundant scientific literature indicates OUD is a problem that warrants interventions at the societal level. This upstream orientation is supported in the American Physical Therapy Association’s vision statement compelling societal transformation and its mission of building communities…
Teaching Critical Health Literacy in the US as a Means to Action on the Social Determinants of Health
Elizabeth Mogford, Linn Gould, Andra DeVoght
Health Promotion International, Volume 26, Issue 1, March 2011, Pages 4-13
Abstract:
In spite of improvements in global health over the 20th century, health inequities are increasing. Mounting evidence suggests that reducing health inequities requires taking action on the social determinants of health (SDOH), which include income, education, employment, political empowerment and other factors. This paper introduces an alternative health education curriculum, developed by the US-based non-profit organization Just Health Action, which teaches critical health literacy as a step towards empowering people to achieve health equity. Critical health literacy is defined as an individual’s understanding of the SDOH combined with the skills to take action at both the individual and the community level…
Successes and Challenges of Teaching the Social Determinants of Health in Secondary Schools: Case Examples in Seattle, Washington
Linn Gould, Elizabeth Mogford, Andra DeVoght
Health Promotion Practice, Volume 11, Issue 3, May 2010, Pages 26S-33S
Abstract:
This article describes a new curriculum developed by Just Health Action (JHA), which teaches the social determinants of health (SDOH) as a strategy to promote health equity. Motivated by the mounting evidence that improvements in health ultimately require taking action on the social, political, and economic determinants of health, JHA has worked since 2004 to teach adolescents critical health literacy, which combines the understanding of the SDOH with skills to take action. This article explains JHA’s curricular methodology, provides two case examples of school-based partnerships, and discusses the successes and challenges the authors have experienced in their efforts…