Rockhurst University CASE STUDY: IPLS - - - - > Physics of Medicine

1. Rockhurst University CASE STUDY: IPLS - - - - > Physics of Medicine ILPS Conference March 15, 2014 Nancy Donaldson, Ph.D Professor of PhysicsRockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri nancy.donaldson@rockhurst.edu

2. Physics of Medicine “My Field of Dreams”

3. Outline of Presentation: • Let’s start with successes in our program. . . . • Large Growth in physics students: • Physics of Medicine (POM) Program – Major and Minor • NSF TUES grant for POM active learning curriculum development • Wonderful Networking with all of you! • How’d we get there? ‘”IPLS” course reform: what worked well and challenges that led to opportunities • Lastly, where we are now - - and where we are going!

4. 2003: Where we started . . .

6. Why not take more??? What I was hearing from the students (and some faculty) was . . . . . . General pre-health or pre-med student thought: “ . . . . . . .well, you know, physics is not really relevant to medicine”

7. Opportunity:So, we worked to help students see and experience the relevance . . . . . . . . . • Start by asking questions: • What do my students need to know? • What are the big ideas that unite? • What can I do to help them get there? • Goal: develop a strong, inquiry based introductory physics sequence that stresses the relevance of physics to medicine/healthcare – --- - - - - - - - - - start of IPLS!

8. STEPS to IPLS Development. . . . • My background: “I was this student” . . . . . • Constructivist pedagogy • Inquiry based curriculum: based on physics teaching experience (state grants: CPU, PET). • Building a foundation - - - - wonderful “story” of physics • Another Challenge: Department climate: • Pre – med • Pre-PT, OT, CSD • Previously “Baby” physics  • This is where I started reform in 2003

9. Led to Another Opportunity: Worked with other faculty . . . • Colleagues from other campuses • Colleagues from other disciplines • Great value • Strong belief in collaboration • Create interdisciplinary learning for “pragmatic” students • Interesting and I learned a lot!!

10. So, how did we “win over” the pre- therapy students? Curriculum Development, passion, pedagogy • Teach physics as essential to an understanding of therapy – examples: • Force and Torque: • Vectors and Statics: • Fluids: • Buoyancy: • Electricity:

12. Semester development: deep conceptual & math DUO - - at the right time to remove fear!

13. Final Project relating physics to career interests in therapy - -- • Students research and choose group topic w/ professor approval • Meet with PT, OT, CSD faculty • Very happy with student work!!

14. Example Intro Student Project: The Barefoot Running Fad • Student Question: Is it worthwhile? • Investigate:Discrepancies in research • Experiment:Foot strike pattern is crucial • Analyze: Compare shod vs. unshod using impulse, friction, force vectors, pressure

15. Force Plate Experimentation: Forefoot Shod vs. Unshod Rearfoot Shod vs. Unshod

16. Promoting Recovery: Relationship to PT • Knee injuries • Ankle Sprains • Ice massages • Stretching • Strengthening

17. Physics Service Learning and Medicine: Service Project: WACKY SCIENCE NIGHT at Children’s Mercy Hospital

18. 2007: on to reforming Pre-Med Physics: • Challenge: Faculty illness in 2007 • Opportunity: reform Pre-Med Physics • Same emphasis of relevance to medicine and the body • Same emphasis of inquiry –based, deep conceptual understanding intertwined with mathematics • Problem solving with “big picture” in mind • Success! “The Physics Curse” (It’s a good thing!)

19. 2009: IPLS Success led to development of Physics of Medicine (POM) Program • Active Learning, relevant upper division coursework (Interdisciplinary component) • Pre-requisite: one year of general physics and calculus I • Focus: intermediate level physics coursework + advanced physics options for students wanting more depth • Designed to address the AAMC Scientific Competency Report

20. Rockhurst Physics of Medicine Program (POM) - TODAY

21. POM Curriculum Guidelines: Applications of physics principles to an understanding of the function of the human bodyin health and disease • Application of physics in the medical imaging and nuclear medicine used in diagnosis and therapy Address AAMC/HHMI Competencies

22. Physics of Medicine Coursework: Inquiry Based! Physics of the Body I Physics of the Body II Optics (with medical focus) • Physics of Medical Imaging Statistics for the Health Sciences or Mathematical Modeling POM Capstone Research Course

23. Physics of the Body I – Topics Covered • Law of Conservation of Energy in the Body • Biomechanics • Pressure in the Body – organs and osmotic pressure • Fluid Dynamics as applied to the Body Physics of the Respiratory System

24. Physics of the Body II – Topics Covered Physics of Cardiovascular System Electricity in the Body Sound, speech Ultrasound Physics of Hearing CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT

25. Optics in Medicine Optics & Vision Fiber Optics, Endoscopy & Lasers

26. Medical Imaging - “How do you see inside of me? • How are they the same? • How are they different? • Physics involved? • What are the advantages and limitations of each?

27. POM Field Trips: • University of Kansas Medical Center – Nuclear Medicine Dept. • Research Medical Center – Medical Imaging Dept. • Kansas City University Medical Center – Using a Fiber Scope! • Kansas City University of Biomedical Sciences – Microscopy Imaging

28. Guest Speakers to Campus • M.D. - - therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound • D.O - - forces on the spine and therapeutic manipulation • D.D.S. - - forces in the jaw and concussions • P.T. , Ph.D. Electric Signals in the Brain, EEG • P.T. - - physics of transfers of patients • Physiologist – physics of respiration • Veterinarian - Acupuncture • Health Psychologist – Obesity and Thermodynamics • Ophthalmologist - new research in eye laser surgery

29. NSF Grant TUES Award: May 2012 • $200,000 • Collaborative with Loyola University Maryland – Dr. Mary Lowe • Create three upper-division active learning physics modules: • Fiber optics and light delivery in Medicine– on iCollaborative • Pressure in the human body - RESPIRATORY and CARDIOVASCULAR System • Nuclear physics and nuclear medicine - Gamma camera • Medical Consultants: Research Hospitals and Medical Faculty; Fiber Optics Experts, Specialty areas in Medicine covering Physics of Medicine Topics

30. Where we are now . . . . . New Students to Physics! Physics Program is vibrant! Currently: • Very Active POM Program: currently 38 declared POM Majors and Minors in our fourth year of implementation – majority of women! • Projection for strong 2014 class • Very positive student/alumni survey/reflections

31. Where we are going . . . . • NSF developed active-learning curriculum modules – available to share! (just email me) • Strong interest in networking and shared curricula/pedagogy/strategies for development

32. Respiratory Module

33. Pressure Equilibrium Small Balloon Large Balloon Ambient Pressure

34. Heart Module

36. Fiber Optic Coupling r

37. Viewing Through Optical Fibers!

38. Summary & Institutional Impact:POM is a recognized program on Rockhurst campus Challenges: • Faculty Load &Training • Marketing – tips if you want them! • Fit within course load of busy pre-med & pre-therapy students • Funding • “Real” physics (traditional vs. reform) • Our Dean: Chicken or Egg  • Opportunities: addressed by PASSION for program POM is a whole lot of FUN!

39. HAUNTED PHYSICS LAB – “Haunted ER”!!!

40. POM Grad Quote . . . . . . Note: Physics location! • “As the Dean of the College of Medicine addressed us regarding the foundations of our medical education, he presented us this image, showing the importance of an integrated understanding of biology, chemistry, and PHYSICS in medical education. “ “” . . . . you can imagine how having that extra knowledge in the physics of medicine will be a HUGE benefit as I begin my studies.” – Melissa Hager ‘11

41. THANK YOU!!For more information:Nancy.donaldson@rockhurst.edu