Different between outpatient and inpatient physical therapy?!

Different between outpatient and inpatient physical therapy?

For volunteer hours, I need to find a physical therapy clinic that has both inpatient and outpatient. What does that exactly mean?

Thanks.

Inpatient simply means that the patient does not go home at night. An example of this could be the medical surgical setting...PT that occurs while someone is still in the hospital. They ususally see patients who are post-surgical or with a new stroke, etc. This could also refer to inpatient rehabilitation. This is a setting where the patient has recovered enough to medically be out of the hospital, but is functionally not ready to go home. An example of this would be an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility or an extended care facility.

Outpatient means that the patient really only has a need for occasional therapy services. They are functionally well enough to reside at home. Examples of this could be a free-standing outpatient orthopedic clinic, or a day rehabilitation program, etc.

For your volunteer hours, I would recommend checking out a hospital based clinic or a free standing acute rehabilitation facility that also has an outpatient clinic. You are more likely to get both settings that you need.

Going to PT school? Good luck! Be sure to get your letters of recommendation.