Rehabilitation special with Bob Gailey
- Interview with Bob Gailey
- The prosthetist's perspective
- The amputee's perspective
- Bob Gailey biography
- Helpful links
Bob Gailey, PhD, PT, is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami and a health science researcher. A talented physical therapist and a thought-provoking educator, Bob Gailey is a mover and a shaker in the field of amputee rehabilitation. We caught up with him at a special workshop in the UK for physical therapists - or physiotherapists as they are known in Britain.
What do you aim to achieve with your presentations and workshops?
Usually these events are about a coming together of physical therapists and prosthetists in order to give our patients a better product and learn how best to use those products. Neither profession can stand alone - both have to work together to achieve the best result. I look at it really as an opportunity to exchange of information. Obviously I have a lot of the latest literature from my University to look at, but what we normally try to do is to share our experiences and each learn something new, myself included.
What kind of success do you get at such seminars?
I hear a lot of different comments from individual amputees and clinicians, but probably the most rewarding comment or feedback I get from therapists and prosthetists is that they go back to their workplaces with renewed enthusiasm to serve their amputee patients better. Some have said that it's like a shot of adrenalin. I've been to the UK several times, but the BACPAR seminar in April was one that I won't forget in a long time - the enthusiasm of the participants and their reaction was fantastic. These people obviously share a love of their profession. In fact some of my best memories are from the UK. I studied in Glasgow as a youngster.
What would you say is the main challenge facing the profession these days?
I would say it was twofold: the first issue is about developing outcome measures, so we can track people's performance and provide evidence-based assessments of their needs. The second is about changing the way people view amputees. The way that they and their potential are perceived often determines the level of care they ultimately receive. I believe there is growing evidence to show that amputees of all ages and ability can benefit from the latest technology.
Do you have any tips for people reading this interview?
Whether you are a new amputee getting your first prosthesis, or somebody who has been an amputee for some time, remember that the next time you go to get a new prosthesis you should be entitled to receive some physiotherapy. Technology is changing and improving rapidly - get some physical therapy to help you make the most of it. It takes a bit of effort retraining yourself to walk, but I think you'll find it's worth it. In the UK, for example, all 40 of the specialist rehab centres were represented at BACPAR's April event. So if you're in the UK, track yourself down one of the people who attended.
The Paralympic World Cup takes place in the UK, 12 - 15 May. You're an ex Paralympian and very involved with today's athletes - can you see further scope for them to improve their performance?
Technology is improving all the time and this allows amputees to achieve their full potential. Also, the athletes I work with in Miami are training at a much higher level than ever before, working with university coaches and receiving the same training as non amputees. So I think we're going to see even better performances in years to come. The only downside of this is that in many countries we're not getting the word out to juniors and I fear we may skip a generation. Our challenge is to get youngsters inspired and involved, and to show them what can be achieved.
Clare Johnson is a prosthetist from Brighton in the UK. This was her reaction to Bob's workshop, hosted in April by the British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation (BACPAR).
I got the invitation and the agenda looked quite good. I'd never heard of Bob Gailey, so I went along with an open mind. From the very first session it was clear that this was going to be different to anything I've attended in the past - he had clearly researched his audience which is always a good sign. As the 'patients' were presented, most of us thought, they look good walkers, what can we do for them? Just one day, though, with these transfemoral amputees and the difference was superb. Bob took them through some fairly simple exercises, not earth shattering stuff, but they all made sense and created a chain effect.
Some of us felt almost inadequate, when faced with the simple things we have not been doing. But Bob doesn't offer blame or criticism - just positive solutions about to how to work best with what resources you have. Even if the prescribing is out of your control, he highlights ways to make what you have got work more efficiently. It's not just about money and componentry, it's about the approach we take. I was very impressed with the whole thing and our physio, who has been in post for around 18 months, is really fired up.
"I thought I could walk pretty well. Basically, I put my first prosthesis on and, the minute I could walk without a cane, off I went."Sound familiar?
Find out what difference a day made to two transfemoral amputees who believed they were doing OK before some neat physical therapy changed their minds!
Robert S Gailey, PhD, PT is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, where he has taught, practiced clinically and conducted research for the past 20 years. He has a joint position with Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center as a health science researcher. He has authored numerous publications and has continued research efforts directed toward: evidenced based amputee rehabilitation, the biomechanics and metabolic cost of prosthetic gait, functional assessment and athletic pursuits of the amputee as well as other athletes with disabilities across the life span.
Bob remains active with many organizations including the Amputee Coalition of America and the American Physical Therapy Association. He also participated as a member of the United States Disabled Sports Medial Team in several World Championships and Paralympic Games and continues to work with some of the most elite athletes with disabilities from around the world.
Helpful Links: