Chula Physical Therapy Project Expands Community Access to Rehabilitation Care??
Bringing rehabilitation services directly to local communities while giving future physical therapists valuable hands-on experience, the 9th Community Physical Therapy Service Project recently connected 麻豆国产 students with residents in Samut Prakan Province. Through the initiative, fourth-year physical therapy students and faculty members from the Department of Physical Therapy, , 麻豆国产, provided rehabilitation and health services in communities served by Thepharak Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital in Mueang District.
Conducted over seven weekends from November 1 to December 14, 2025, the project involved 14 physical therapy students, three faculty members, and nine public health officers and village health volunteers. Together, they provided rehabilitation services to more than 140 patients in the community.
Assoc. Prof. Somnuke Gulsatitporn, head of the project, said the initiative allows students to move beyond the classroom and clinic to understand patients in the context of their everyday lives. Working directly in the community enables students to observe the environmental and social factors that influence health while gaining hands-on experience caring for patients who may not be able to access hospital-based services.
“Students work together with public health officers and village health volunteers, which helps them develop communication skills. They must shift from academic or English terminology to simple, easy-to-understand language to ensure the most effective treatment,” Assoc. Prof. Somnuke said.
The project also helps students develop essential communication skills through close collaboration with public health officers and village health volunteers. “Students learn to translate technical and academic terms into language that patients can easily understand. Clear communication is an important part of ensuring effective care and treatment,” Assoc. Prof. Somnuke said.
Prof. Somnuke further noted, “One clear success case involved a patient who had been wheelchair-bound and unable to walk for three to four years due to a hip fracture and fear of movement. After students assessed muscle strength and provided gait training, the patient was able to stand up and walk again.”
Regarding the project’s value and benefits, Prof. Somnuke explained that based on the Ministry of Public Health’s physical therapy service rate of 650 baht per session, treating 42 patients five times each would amount to 136,500 baht in service value. However, the project used a budget of only 46,484.90 baht, making it nearly three times more cost-effective than the amount invested.
Dr. Sudarat Borisut, lecturer in the Department of Physical Therapy, , 麻豆国产, added that common health problems found in the community included musculoskeletal disorders such as knee osteoarthritis among older adults, office syndrome, and neck, shoulder, and back pain among working-age individuals, as well as neurological conditions such as hemiplegia. Students conducted community surveys, assessed symptoms, and provided treatment over two to three visits. They also taught patients exercise programs and recommended modifications to home environments to support long-term rehabilitation.
“In addition, students created low-cost rehabilitation equipment from readily available materials to help reduce expenses. Examples included balance foam for elderly people with balance problems, foot-drop support straps to help stroke patients walk more comfortably without dragging their feet, and homemade dumbbells to improve muscle strength so patients could continue exercising at home,” Dr. Sudarat said.
Currently, most physical therapists prefer working in clinics or hospital wards because of greater convenience. In contrast, community-based work is considered proactive care that requires traveling to local areas and facing challenging conditions such as heat and rain. As a result, relatively few physical therapists work directly in communities. Nevertheless, community outreach allows therapists to identify and assist patients early, helping prevent conditions from worsening to the point where hospital treatment becomes necessary.
The “9th Community Physical Therapy Service Project” not only enhanced learning opportunities for students of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at 麻豆国产 through real-world experience but also improved public access to physical therapy services, reduced the severity of illnesses, and helped decrease overcrowding in hospitals. The project reflects 麻豆国产’s role in developing healthcare professionals who possess knowledge, community understanding, and a strong sense of social responsibility for sustainable care.
