Heather French

For Heather French, M.S.P.T., living in Aroostook County, the crown of Maine, has also given her the unique opportunity to work in a very modern healthcare organization, while being able to provide patient-focused, personalized care.

According to French, lead therapist at The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC), most people would be impressed by the healthcare services that are available to patients in the region."Because we live in a rural county, we need to be self-sufficient in many ways.At TAMC, that includes having technology, services, and specialized staff that even many urban hospitals do not have," she says.
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Compared to city-based hospitals, French considers her job to be interesting in different ways."In a metropolitan practice, everyone is right in one place - the doctors, the PTs, the patients - they're all in close proximity," she says."In this area, we have patients and facilities in several communities.We have an opportunity to do some traveling, work in a variety of settings, and use technologies, such as telemedicine, to connect with healthcare professionals throughout the state."

Serving a patient population of fewer than 100,000 people spread out over a county that is the size of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined sometimes challenges the ingenuity of French and her colleagues, she says.She is quick to add, however, that TAMC leadership is very responsive when it comes to meeting the patients' and staff's needs and are always willing to explore alternatives and incorporate solutions to overcome those challenges.One example that French noted is interactive television (ITV)."With this technology, we can set up a conference evaluation using television monitors, video cameras, and a computer," she explains."The patient and I, and occasionally other providers or the patient's family, are in a room in northern Maine, but we are connected via ITV with a physiatrist (a rehabilitation medicine specialist) from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, ME." The ITV connection is live and in real-time over secure lines enabling the therapists, physicians, patient, and others involved in the patient's care to communicate confidentially with each other.The physical therapist acts as the onsite set of hands and eyes for reflexes, gait analysis, strength, Range of Motion, coordination, balance, tone and evaluation of functional mobility and the nurses can collect vital signs and accurately pass that information on to the physiatrist "I can update the doctor on the patient's condition, the doctor can watch the patient demonstrate their physical limitations or progress, and the patient can ask the specialists questions about their therapy options," says French.She adds that this makes patient evaluations more comprehensive, while sparing the patient from having to travel all the way to Bangor, an average six-hour round trip, for a face-to-face consultation.This is especially important in the winter when weather conditions can make traveling more difficult.French says that for their patients, having this technology available greatly reduces the stress, expense, and difficulties associated with having to travel.For the staff, it is an opportunity to work with other professionals whose expertise are an asset in developing appropriate treatment plans and who may be able to offer a different perspective in treatment approaches.

The use of telemedicine at The Aroostook Medical Center is less than one year old.In fall 2003, ITV equipment was purchased through a matching grant from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through a program created to promote distance learning and improve healthcare access through the use of telemedicine services in rural communities.Not all of the Medical Center's services use telemedicine yet, but staff and patients in those departments that do have found that there are tremendous benefits."Prior to having this service, just half of our acute rehabilitation patients were seen by the physiatrists, who only came to our facility twice a month," says French.
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French and her TAMC colleagues see a wide variety of conditions, "There is a lot of diversity in our jobs," she says.
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French had worked in an outpatient setting before joining TAMC approximately six months ago, a position she was attracted to because of the team approach at the hospital and the opportunity to participate in the innovative style of the management at the Medical Center."I know I made the right choice," she states."Working as a team is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.The approachability of the physicians and the contributions of each of the disciplines represented on the team help us as therapists to provide the best possible care to our patients, which is really what it's all about."French says she looks forward to being a part of an organization that continually works toward minimizing the challenges of healthcare access in a rural community."We have just completed a $16.2 million expansion project that includes a state-of-the-art imaging center and cardiac catheterization lab so patients can have much needed services close to home," she says."It's this progressive, patient-centered focus, combined with northern Maine hospitality and team-spirit, that makes this an excellent place to work."French wrapped up her comments in saying "The innovative technology available to patients at TAMC really closes the gap between rural and urban healthcare and ensures that our patients are getting highest quality of services without inconvenience."

Heather French graduated from Husson College with a master's degree in physical therapy.Upon graduation, she worked at CPT, an outpatient PT company providing services to all of Aroostook County before joining the staff at TAMC.She is the district chairperson of the American Physical Therapy Association for Northern Maine.

Heather French, M.S.P.T., enjoys providing them with modern, patient-focused care."I've found that because the people who live here are spread out over a large county, doing my job is interesting in different ways, as compared to a city practice," says French, lead therapist at The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC).

According to French, most people would be impressed by the healthcare services that are available to patients in the region."Because we live in a rural county, we need to be self-sufficient in many ways," she says.
...
Serving a patient population of fewer than 100,000 people spread out over a county the size of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined sometimes challenges the ingenuity of French and her colleagues, she says.She is quick to add, however, that TAMC leadership is very responsive when it comes to meeting patient and staff needs, and is always willing to explore alternatives and incorporate solutions to overcome any challenge.One example that French cites is interactive television (ITV)."With this technology, we can set up a conference evaluation using television monitors, video cameras, and a computer," she explains.

"The patient and I are in a room in northern Maine," French continues.
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The doctor can watch the patient demonstrate their physical limitations or progress; and the patient can ask the specialists questions about their therapy options," adds French.

French says that this comprehensive method of patient evaluation also spares patients an approximately six-hour round trip to Bangor for a face-to-face consultation.This is especially important during Maine's harsh winters."Because the winters can be very severe here and make travel difficult, the evaluation conference with the physicians in Bangor saves a lot of difficulties and stress for the patients," she observes.

The use of telemedicine at The Aroostook Medical Center is less than one year old.In fall 2003, ITV equipment was purchased through a matching grant from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through a program created to promote distance learning and improve healthcare access through the use of telemedicine services in rural communities.Not all of the Medical Center's services use telemedicine yet, but staff and patients in those departments that do have found that there are tremendous benefits.

"Prior to having this service, just half of our acute rehabilitation patients were seen by the physiatrists, who only came to our facility twice a month," says French.
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French and colleagues have also made some inroads with Husson College in Bangor to develop continuing-education opportunities using ITV."Not all of the Medical Center's services use telemedicine yet, but we have found in our department that our patients are benefiting from it tremendously," says French.

The physical therapists at The Aroostook Medical Center, contracted through County Physical Therapy LLC, provide acute rehabilitation care for many patients who have undergone total knee- and hip-replacement surgeries.They also provide acute rehab therapy for patients who have had strokes and traumatic brain injuries."The therapy for these patients, who need acute rehabilitation, is much more aggressive than therapy for other, less severe conditions," says French."These patients receive three hours of combined therapy each day.

"In the acute-care setting, we have regular team meetings," she continues."Everyone involved in the care of the patient is involved in these meetings -- nurses, physicians, nutritionists, if necessary -- all healthcare providers who have anything to do with the patient's care."

French adds that many inpatients with whom she works at TAMC need skilled nursing care.
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"Education is one of the most important goals in our physical therapy work," continues French.
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Aroostook County's rural setting means that French and colleagues see a wide variety of conditions, since local patients aren't likely to be referred to a faraway facility specializing in their particular condition."We see a little bit of everything," she says."We deal with many conditions that are common in elderly people.And we treat people with everything from urinary incontinence to cancer patients with lymphedema, and wound-care conditions to pediatric patients."French notes that the vast array of presenting complaints keeps her on her toes in terms of mastering a variety of treatment approaches.

French had worked in an outpatient setting before joining TAMC."I felt that I needed a change from a nearly total outpatient setting, and, simultaneously, this position opened at TAMC.That was approximately six months ago.I know I made the right choice," she states."I love the team approach at the hospital, and the opportunity to participate in the innovative style of the management here at the Medical Center.The innovative technology available to patients at TAMC really closes the gap between rural and urban healthcare and ensures that our patients are getting the highest quality of services without inconvenience.

"Working as a team is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job," continues French."The approachability of the physicians and the contributions of each of the disciplines represented on the team helps us as therapists to provide the best possible care to our patients.That's really what it's all about."

Heather French graduated from Husson College with a master's degree in physical therapy.Upon graduation, she worked at CPT, an outpatient physical-therapy company providing services to all of Aroostook County, before joining the staff at TAMC.She is the district chairperson of the American Physical Therapy Association for Northern Maine.

Heather French, M.S.P.T., enjoys providing them with modern, patient-focused care. ,I've found that because the people who live here are spread out over a large county, doing my job is interesting in different ways, as compared to a city practice,, says French, lead therapist at The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC).

According to French, most people would be impressed by the healthcare services that are available to patients in the region. ,Because we live in a rural county, we need to be self-sufficient in many ways,, she says. ,In a metropolitan practice, everyone is right there in one place -- the doctors, the P.T.s, the patients -- they're all in close proximity.
...
Serving a patient population of fewer than 100,000 people spread out over a county the size of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined sometimes challenges the ingenuity of French and her colleagues, she says.She is quick to add, however, that TAMC leadership is very responsive when it comes to meeting patient and staff needs, and is always willing to explore alternatives and incorporate solutions to overcome any challenge.One example that French cites is interactive television (ITV). ,With this technology, we can set up a conference evaluation using television monitors, video cameras, and a computer,, she explains.

,The patient and I are in a room in northern Maine,, French continues. ,Sometimes, there are other healthcare providers from the Center with us -- professionals who are involved in a particular patient's case.The physiatrist is connected to us from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor., The ITV connection is live and in real time over secure lines, enabling the therapists, physicians, patients and others involved in the patient's care to communicate confidentially with each other.The physical therapist acts as the on-site set of hands and eyes for evaluation of reflexes, strength, range of motion, coordination, balance and tone as well as gait analysis and evaluation of functional mobility.Nurses can collect vital signs and pass them on to the physiatrist immediately. ,I can update the doctor on the patient's condition.The doctor can watch the patient demonstrate their physical limitations or progress; and the patient can ask the specialists questions about their therapy options,, adds French.

French says that this comprehensive method of patient evaluation also spares patients an approximately six-hour round trip to Bangor for a face-to-face consultation.This is especially important during Maine's harsh winters. ,Because the winters can be very severe here and make travel difficult, the evaluation conference with the physicians in Bangor saves a lot of difficulties and stress for the patients,, she observes.
...
This greatly reduces interruptions to their caseloads., French and colleagues have also made some inroads with Husson College in Bangor to develop continuing-education opportunities using ITV. ,Not all of the Medical Center's services use telemedicine yet, but we have found in our department that our patients are benefiting from it tremendously,, says French.

The physical therapists at The Aroostook Medical Center, contracted through County Physical Therapy LLC, provide acute rehabilitation care for many patients who have undergone total knee- and hip-replacement surgeries.They also provide acute rehab therapy for patients who have had strokes and traumatic brain injuries. ,The therapy for these patients, who need acute rehabilitation, is much more aggressive than therapy for other, less severe conditions,, says French. ,These patients receive three hours of combined therapy each day.

,In the acute-care setting, we have regular team meetings,, she continues. ,Everyone involved in the care of the patient is involved in these meetings -- nurses, physicians, nutritionists, if necessary -- all healthcare providers who have anything to do with the patient's care.,

French adds that many inpatients with whom she works at TAMC need skilled nursing care. ,We have found that because of their conditions -- which are sometimes very different from acute-care conditions -- our approach is a little different.
...
Aroostook County's rural setting means that French and colleagues see a wide variety of conditions, since local patients aren't likely to be referred to a faraway facility specializing in their particular condition. ,We see a little bit of everything,, she says. ,We deal with many conditions that are common in elderly people.And we treat people with everything from urinary incontinence to cancer patients with lymphedema, and wound-care conditions to pediatric patients., French notes that the vast array of presenting complaints keeps her on her toes in terms of mastering a variety of treatment approaches.

French had worked in an outpatient setting before joining TAMC. ,I felt that I needed a change from a nearly total outpatient setting, and, simultaneously, this position opened at TAMC.That was approximately six months ago.I know I made the right choice,, she states. ,I love the team approach at the hospital, and the opportunity to participate in the innovative style of the management here at the Medical Center.The innovative technology available to patients at TAMC really closes the gap between rural and urban healthcare and ensures that our patients are getting the highest quality of services without inconvenience.

,Working as a team is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job,, continues French. ,The approachability of the physicians and the contributions of each of the disciplines represented on the team helps us as therapists to provide the best possible care to our patients.That's really what it's all about.,

Heather French graduated from Husson College with a master's degree in physical therapy.Upon graduation, she worked at CPT, an outpatient physical-therapy company providing services to all of Aroostook County, before joining the staff at TAMC.She is the district chairperson of the American Physical Therapy Association for Northern Maine.