Student-led clinic improves access to care for rural and remote patients

This August, a student-led rehabilitation clinic was established at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Prince Albert campus. This new clinic is part of a recent expansion in the School of Rehabilitation Science, which increased the number of students and clinical placements for the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program.

MPT students are required to complete 30 weeks of clinical placements as part of their program. Students are placed at clinical sites across Saskatchewan where they treat patients across the lifespan, with musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological conditions, under the supervision of licensed professionals.

"This clinic is one part of the commitment that USask has made alongside the Government of Saskatchewan to the "training" pillar of the Health Human Resources Expansion Plan," said Dr. Patti McDougall (PhD), Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic of the University of Saskatchewan. "In order to educate physical therapists in this province and improve access to care, we must provide them with essential clinical experiences and that means identifying existing and creating new sites for that work to take place."

Student-led clinics are an innovative way for students to not only build clinical skills but also leadership skills as they are involved in all aspects of running a clinic. These tasks include booking appointments, providing directions to patients to access the clinic, keeping track of linens, and cleaning the space to public health standards.

The addition of the clinic to the Prince Albert campus aims to increase the number of student placements in northern communities — areas that typically have higher physical therapy vacancy rates. It also supports interdisciplinary learning with students in other health-care programs offered on the campus such as nursing and dental therapy.

“The clinic space adds a new level of engagement and vibrancy to our building. Through the clinical support of the physical therapy students, those who may not have had a reason to experience our space are visiting and are now aware of the diverse programming and activity,” said Dr. Jay Wilson (PhD), Principal of USask Prince Albert Campus. “The physical therapy students are able to work with a broader range of clients and increase their skills and knowledge."

Wilson noted that with the increased caseloads in all areas of public health, the Prince Albert student-led clinic provides support to local health-care partners by taking on referrals and improving access to care. USask students can receive treatment at the campus which is convenient and reduces activity at other local clinics.

MPT students at the clinic are supported on a ratio of three students to one clinical instructor which empowers students to be independent and encourages collaborative learning. Two students recently completed their clinical placements and an additional nine students will complete their placements from now until next spring.
Jared Noyes (MPT’26), one of the first students, highlighted this placement was a great opportunity to grow as a clinician.

“Throughout this experience, I’ve been able to assess, treat, and discharge patients with complete independence while still having immediate access to experienced therapists for guidance when needed,” said Noyes. “Having the ability to make my own schedule has fostered greater independence and time-management skills. Overall, this placement strengthened my clinical skills, built my confidence, and deepened my interest in providing health care in rural communities."

Students in the clinic can provide care to people with a range of health conditions including osteoarthritis, back pain, as well as health promotion, injury prevention and ergonomic education. Services are provided free of charge, which helps reduce barriers for people needing access to physical therapy care. Noyes appreciates that this clinical opportunity empowers students to make real, meaningful decisions focusing on patient needs.

The launch of the Prince Albert clinic has been well received, and the school aims to expand the clinic to include occupational therapy and speech-language pathology student placements in the coming years. These new programs will launch in the fall of 2026 at the Saskatoon campus.

"Our students are gaining valuable hands-on experience, directly contributing to improved access to physical therapy in the region," said Dr. Brenna Bath (PhD), Director of the School, "Looking ahead, this site will also serve as a vital training ground for future occupational therapy and speech-language pathology students, reflecting our school's commitment to interprofessional education and collaborative health-care training."