For those considering a clinical rotation with EMG Solutions or thinking about applying for the residency, they should take into account the testimonies of students Hailey Pedersen (RMU) and Hamid Hadipour (TSU).
The Student POV: Hailey Pedersen, DPT (RMU Class of 2025)
How would you rate your clinical experience? Provide any feedback for future students.
I would rate my experience as 10/10. This clinical rotation provided an excellent opportunity to explore the EMG Specialty and determine if it aligns with my career aspirations. My mentors, Kyle Martinos and John Lugo, were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. They play a crucial role in enhancing my understanding of EMG testing and in building my confidence to perform assessments independently.
Do you feel that the material you learned helped you to be successful? Was it too much or too little?
The material was extremely helpful in preparing me for success. The amount of information provided was well-balanced, not overwhelming, yet comprehensive enough to serve as a strong refresher. The content was broken down into digestible sections, and the opportunity to practice between lessons was instrumental in building my confidence.
Do you feel the information you learned in your clinical applies to Physical Therapy? Will it help you in your practice as a PT?
Absolutely. The knowledge and hands-on experience gained in this rotation are directly applicable to Physical Therapy practice. Understanding EMG testing enhances clinical decision-making, differential diagnosis, and patient management skills, all of which are valuable in the PT profession.
What was the best part of the clinical rotation for you?
Seeing my confidence and efficiency improve over time with EMG testing was the most rewarding aspect of this experience.
What was the most difficult aspect of the clinical rotation? What did you learn from this?
The most challenging aspect was not being at the same clinic every day. However, this experience taught me how to build rapport quickly with new teams and adapt to different clinic environments. I also discovered that I enjoy the variety of working in different settings, as it keeps the routine engaging while still providing structure.
What was the most important thing you learned in your clinical rotation?
Consistency is key; performing each step the same way every time is essential for accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, precise measurement is critical in EMG testing, and developing meticulous measurement habits ensures reliable results.
What would you say to future students considering a clinical rotation with EMG Solutions?
I highly recommend this rotation! It is a unique and invaluable learning experience that many students do not have the opportunity to pursue. The mentors at EMG Solutions are exceptional educators who meet students at their current level of knowledge and build upon their skills, regardless of prior experience with EMG.
Additional comments are welcome.
EMG Solutions provides an outstanding clinical experience, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from such knowledgeable mentors.
A Perspective from Tennessee State University: Hamid Hadipour, DPT
Hamid Hadipour lived in Iraq until 2015, and he had previously completed his BS in business, whereupon he spent most of that time working in an administrative role. While Hamid was enrolled at Tennessee State University, he maintained a full-time job, Friday through Monday.
We greatly enjoyed Hamid’s time with us at EMG Solutions and getting to learn more about him and his goals! Hamid has mostly positive feedback from his experience with us and reported that he would place an “8 and higher out of 10” rating. He stated that he felt as though his neuroanatomy knowledge was not adequate to meet the level of demand coming into this clinical. However, he went on to say that this experience has not only improved his knowledge but also given him the tools to dig deeper for future reference when he has a question. “I know that this clinical has definitely helped me to prepare for the NPTE.”
When asked if he felt that the material he learned helped him to be successful, and if it was too much or too little information, Hamid shared a comparison from his previous clinical experience, stating that his previous CI was excellent and challenged him to formulate his plan of care from the evaluative findings to best treat the pathology. However, in this rotation, he was challenged to dig deeper into pathology and make a better connection for differential diagnosis. Dr. Trapp challenged him daily by asking the questions: “Why is this pathology here? Why is it related to what I am finding or the results on the test?” And then he asked him to explain the results and reasons. Hamid stated that this was the hardest part of his clinical, but the best part. “This process helped me to understand the neuroanatomy better and gain more confidence in my understanding and findings.”
When asked if he recommended this clinical rotation to other students, Hamid responded, “It depends on the student,” going on to explain that it was a good experience for him because it aligned with his goals and his personal experience, but suggested that a student who does not have a strong desire to pursue neuroanatomy may not be the best fit. Hamid reported that he desires to join the EMG Solutions residency when space becomes available in Nashville.
Hamid specifically wanted to thank his clinical instructors and express his appreciation to John Lugo, DPT, ECS, and Mark Simmons, PT, DSc, ECS, and for the time with Daniel Trapp, DPT.
This blog is a feature from Edition 7 of our newsletter, which you can find here.
