Development of a Women's Pelvic Health Specialty Clinical Experience

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this article is trifold. First, to share the process and outcomes of developing a specialty clinical experience specific to the pelvic health setting; second, to encourage others to consider a similar model; and finally, to promote the early engagement of interested students on the pathway to practice specialization. Case Description. A full-time clinical experience was developed in the specialty practice area of pelvic health at the request of an interested student. After the selection of a clinical partner, goals and objectives, outcomes assessment, and a timeline for goal achievement were established. Outcomes. Student successfully met entrylevel criteria on a focused application of the CPI and completed indirect measures including a specialty professional development plan and reflective journaling. The student anticipates further pursuit of specialty physical therapist practice. Discussion and Conclusion. The academic program and the clinical partners enthusiastically supported the process and outcomes. The academic institution anticipates using the developed format to design additional learning experiences in specialty practice settings. Given the success of this experience, it would seem that the template is applicable to other institutions seeking to develop specialty clinical experiences.