{"id":13778,"date":"2023-04-19T09:52:59","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T13:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/campusconnection\/?p=13778"},"modified":"2023-04-21T07:13:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T11:13:47","slug":"udms-multidisciplinary-patient-centered-program-provides-nursing-and-engineering-students-a-chance-to-help-people-with-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/campusconnection\/2023\/04\/19\/udms-multidisciplinary-patient-centered-program-provides-nursing-and-engineering-students-a-chance-to-help-people-with-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"UDM’s multidisciplinary patient-centered program provides Nursing and Engineering students a chance to help people with disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Three
Three assisted technology devices worked on by University of Detroit Mercy Engineering and Nursing students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The public and media are invited to a special presentation as student teams present devices to clients with disabilities on April 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

University of Detroit Mercy Engineering and Nursing students engaged in a year-long multidisciplinary, collaborative patient-centered project titled \u201cFaces on Design\u201d designed to improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities.<\/p>\n

On April 24 at 11 a.m., student groups will unveil and present their life-changing assisted technology devices in the College of Engineering & Science to their clients and public.<\/p>\n

This multidisciplinary program pairs seniors from UDM\u2019s College of Engineering & Science and higher-level Nursing students from the College of Health Professions\u2019 McAuley School of Nursing to improve the quality of life for people with physical disabilities by designing unique assistive devices that resolve a need.<\/p>\n

\u201cFaces on Design\u201d is a two-semester course that offers students the opportunity to work with people who have physical disabilities and fully understand the problems they experience with daily functions due to their disability. Each student group collaborates with the client for a full academic year and works to identify an obstacle they can help the client overcome by creating a custom design of an assistive device to improve the life of the person or their family.<\/p>\n

The second half of the course involves bringing these devices to life through the construction of a prototype. The prototypes undergo testing and modifications based on client input and student expertise to ensure each device fits the client\u2019s specific needs and is safe to use.<\/p>\n

“This program takes everything we’ve learned throughout our time at Detroit Mercy and culminates it for good. In speaking with our client, all of us came to the conclusion that he needed a device to help him get from his wheelchair into the bed in his RV,” said Justin Petouhoff, a senior Mechanical Engineering student who will graduate this May. \u201cNot only will this device represent all the skills that we’ve learned, but it will be something that all of us can be proud of. This is really an opportunity to grow not only as an engineer and a student but also as a person.”<\/p>\n

This year-long collaboration allows Nursing students to implement everything they have learned from pharmacology to community health to assist the team in creating the device. \u00a0The multidisciplinary class closes with a celebratory design presentation event at the end of each school year.<\/p>\n

The current student team designs are noted below according to the first name of each client served during this project.<\/p>\n

Hope<\/span><\/strong>
\nHope was born with spina bifida, a condition that limits movement in her lower extremities and torso. Students on this team are designing a wheelchair storage device that will allow Hope to store items and access them independently. The initial design consists of a basket and slider assembly so Hope can move the stored items from the back to the side of her wheelchair for easy accessibility.<\/p>\n

Pete<\/strong><\/span>
\nPete has multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that causes muscle weakness, increased fatigue and episodes of dizziness. Students on this team are designing a custom shower chair for Pete to use in his bathtub so that he can get in and out of the shower safely. This device, which consists of a swivel plate, sliding mechanism and brake system, will ensure Pete\u2019s safety as his condition progresses.<\/p>\n

Scott<\/strong><\/span>
\nScott sustained a C5-C6 spinal cord injury after being involved in an automobile accident in 2007. Due to his injury, he has limited mobility in his hands and has no feeling below his chest. Students on this team are designing a device that allows Scott to transition from his wheelchair to his RV bed while camping. This device modifies and improves their current lift system, providing Scott and his wife a safer and more efficient alternative.<\/p>\n

To view previous presentation of assistive technology devices, please click on the following:<\/p>\n