Physical Therapy

Scope of Care

Physical Therapy is a vital part of the comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitations Program that provides both inpatient and outpatient service in Doernbecher Children's Hospital and the Sellwood-Moreland Clinic.

The Physical Therapy Program addresses the developmental and functional motor needs of children of all abilities who have difficulty moving because of injury, disease, or other health conditions. We also provide services for adults who have developmental motor disorders. We do this through exemplary family-centered inpatient and outpatient clinical service, clinical training, clinical research, and community outreach.

Services We Provide

Inpatient Service

Our physical therapists provide inpatient services for children from intensive care units through time on the hospital floor to discharge. Our emphasis is helping children get up and promoting safe mobility during their hospital stay, while preparing for discharge. We strive for seamless transition to follow-up outpatient service through the CDRC outpatient PT service or by referral to community practitioners.

Outpatient Evaluation and Treatment

Our physical therapists evaluate musculoskeletal structures, neuromotor status, functional mobility, gross motor skills and postural control for patients who are referred with concerns in those areas.

Our physical therapists offer treatment when appropriate. Each child receives an individualized plan of care that addresses the particular motor needs of that patient and takes into account the concerns and goals of the patient and family.

We consult with others in the community who are involved in the care of the patient to coordinate services. This collaboration ensures that the goals of treatment are best integrated into the patient's home and community life.

Our physical therapists also participate on CDRC interdisciplinary clinical teams that provide diagnostic and medical management consultation services.

Other Services

The Physical Therapists provide additional specialized services. Examples include:

Evaluation of need for durable medical equipment, including wheelchairs
Gait training with partial weight suspension using the Lite-Gait® Treadmill System
Construction of customized positioning devices such as neck-splinting devices for torticollis
Specialized assessment and training in powered mobility for children with multiple and severe disabilities
Collaborative evaluation of need for lower limb braces
Training, technical assistance and consultation for community providers

Service Providers

We have several physical therapists on staff, many of whom have certification from the American Physical Therapy Association as pediatric clinical specialists (PCS). Our physical therapists have extensive expertise evaluating and treating patients who experience motor disabilities, special health needs, or chronic disabling health conditions. Examples include:

Cerebral palsy and related neuromotor disorders
Spina bifida
Orthopedic conditions
Trauma
Childhood cancer
Hemophilia
Genetic and metabolic conditions
Muscle diseases

How to make a Referral

Referrals are welcome from any source including parents, educators, caseworkers, physicians, and other health/allied health care providers. Many families require a referral from their primary care provider in order for their insurance to cover the service; if this is the case, our bilingual administrative staff can help you with the process. For more information, or to initiate a referral, please call 503-418-0290.

TRAINING

Our department conducts an extensive year-round training program that consists of two models:

Internships for physical therapy students who must fulfill entry-level clinical requirements. We provide experience for PT Interns on either the inpatient service in DCH or the CDRC outpatient service.
Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program for licensed PTs who are seeking advanced skills in their practice of pediatric physical therapy. The residency is a year-long mentored clinical experience. Applicants are committed to working in pediatrics and aspire to leadership roles in the field. The residency program is the first such APTA credentialed program nationally.