I. Introduction/overview about what you will cover (3-5 minutes) and the GOALS of your presentation (these should be very relevant to your audience!).   Include attention-catching information, demonstration, and/or visual aids. It is important to set the stage properly so that your audience becomes interested and wants to learn more. You also will need to introduce yourselves and let the audience know you are PTA students and this presentation is part of the LSC Physical Therapy Clinic’s Injury Prevention Program. If appropriate, have brochures from the PT clinic available to hand out.

II. Simple anatomy review, as appropriate. Cover muscles and/or joints that may become injured as a result of poor mechanics or poor techniques used in the audience’s job. Use visual aids. Explain briefly how these anatomical structures can become injured. This is also a good time, if appropriate, to cover the basics of good body mechanics and/or transfers. (5-10 minutes)

III. Tie the audience’s job duties into the anatomy review above. For example, if talking to a group of people who work at a computer all day, you might say “As a result of working at a computer for your job, you probably have a tendency to crane your head forward to see the computer screen. This creates shortening of the small muscles at the base of your neck. Over time this muscle shortening can lead to muscle soreness and even headaches.” (5 minutes)

IV. Demonstrate improper and proper techniques relevant to your audience. This may include sitting or standing posture, lifting, reaching, twisting, moving patients, work-station set-up, vacuuming, moving patients, carrying, squatting, etc. (10 minutes)

V. Audience participation time! Note: it is sometimes difficult to get an audience to participate if you start with “OK, anyone want to try this?” Instead, take charge of the class and say “OK, now it’s time for you to try what we just showed you.” Give clear instructions (i.e., please stand up, break into groups of two, pretend you are patient, etc.) Have your audience practice the proper ways to perform the physical activities you just demonstrated. It also doesn’t hurt to have them practice the improper techniques so they can clearly feel the difference between the right and wrong way to do the task. Make it realistic…for example, if they have to move patients onto an x-ray table, have them actually move a person onto a plinth or table of the same height as the x-ray table. This way you can help them problem-solve as needed. Have your audience show you how they perform other job duties you may not have covered. Problem-solve any issues that come up, keeping in mind the principles of good body mechanics and transfers. (10-20 minutes)

VI. Questions from the audience. Allow 5-10 minutes for questions and be prepared to answer them. If you are unsure of the answer, say so, and tell them you will follow-up with a written answer in a few days.  If they have no questions, ask THEM questions to see what they’ve learned!

VII. Summarize! This is very important! Clearly and concisely summarize what you covered (better yet…see if your audience can summarize….that way you know they learned!). Thanks the audience for their attention! (5 minutes)

VIII. Evaluation. Ask the audience to complete the presentation surveys and collect them when they are finished, or leave an addressed envelope in which the surveys can be returned to a PTA faculty member.