Do you accept new graduates into your program?
Yes, but incoming residents need to be a licensed physical therapist in the state of North Carolina before our August start date.
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Do you accept international applicants?
Yes, provided they are licensed to practice in North Carolina. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor international applicants in their bid for licensure.
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How many people are usually accepted into the program each year?
Typically, we have one orthopedic physical therapy resident each year.
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How long is the program?
The program is 12 months long.
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Are there opportunities for research activities?
Our residents complete a case report as a part of the residency. However, additional research opportunities are not usually required. The opportunity exists to learn more about our current research projects at Duke, but we cannot guarantee involvement due to the extended duration of these projects.
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Are there opportunities for teaching?
As physical therapists, it is important we become experts in teaching/educational strategies. Teaching opportunities include interacting with our patients, volunteers, colleagues, interdisciplinary team members and the community. The resident presents and teaches to all of these groups through state-wide conferences, didactic sessions, journal clubs, medical rounds, and grand rounds to name just a few. We typically have a few formal teaching or lab-instructing opportunities in the Duke Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
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What does a typical week look like?
This varies throughout the year. Typically, the resident will provide patient care for 30 hours/week and receives didactic/mentorship time for the remainder of their week. During the first half of residency, the resident splits their time between inpatient and outpatient. During the second half of residency, the resident devotes their time to treating in outpatient setting. There are also meetings throughout the course of the residency that include tailored meetings with residency directors, residency meetings with other residents, and other extracurricular opportunities as they arise. We anticipate the resident will average 45-50 hours per week on residency-related work.
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How is the mentorship structured?
Formal mentorship with patients occurs with experienced mentors on a weekly basis. Typically, this is at least 3-5 hours/week per rotation in inpatient, and likewise with a rotating lead provider in outpatient. While in inpatient, they will be paired with a mentor that guides them to become well-rounded practitioners across several different rotations (total joint replacements, spine, and trauma). We believe that this time is integral to building familiarity with surgical procedures, assimilating to a new health system, and learning about a patient’s recovery across the full continuum of care. In outpatient, the resident receives 1-on-1 mentorship with an expert orthopedic clinician to refine their examination skills across various body regions. The clinician also engages in outpatient didactic content that coincides with their inpatient didactic content (lower extremity, spine, and upper extremity). The resident is also allocated time to observe and practice with a specialist specific to the designated body region for that time frame.
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What qualities does an ideal candidate possess?
To be successful in the application process, an applicant should demonstrate a strong academic background, excellent work ethic and commitment to deepening their understanding of orthopedic physical therapy. They should be passionate about their purpose for enrolling in a residency, be organized and demonstrate intellectual and cultural humility. That being said, we encourage everyone to bring their own unique features and background to the program. We believe that this diversity that has helped to continue to grow our program.
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