Around Campus
Physical therapy professor dedicated to improving the lives of those with HIV
Archived article from Oct 4, 2004
Every other Monday, southern New Jersey residents from all walks of life – straight and gay, black and white, young and old – come together in the name of a common cause: preserving their strength and the quality of their lives.
They are living with HIV, and they receive much-needed physical therapy services free of charge, thanks to David Kietrys, an assistant professor in the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program, jointly sponsored by University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Rutgers-Camden.
“Management of chronic pain is a common need of many individuals with HIV,” says Kietrys, who works with New Jersey Fit-for-Life, an early intervention program of Kennedy Health Systems “What makes the clinic unusual is that we practice and promote health maintenance and palliative care (pain management).”
Fit-for-Life provides free exams, treatment and screening for HIV-positive patients who otherwise might not receive these crucial services. “Sometimes people don’t get better after the number of physical therapy sessions allocated by their insurance company,” Kietrys says. “Fit-for-Life provides an opportunity to respond immediately to the patient’s needs and to ensure they will get ongoing physical therapy if it is needed.”
Garden State Infectious Disease Associates in Voorhees, headed by David Condoluci, provides space for Kietrys to see patients, as well as the opportunity to be an integral member of an interdisciplinary team of professionals. Clinic patients have access to specialists in infectious diseases, pain management and addiction, as well as spiritual, psychiatric and nutrition counseling.
Kietrys says that individuals with HIV are frequently reluctant to access the healthcare system. Acting as a patient advocate, he counsels clients on how to pursue regular physical therapy sessions covered by available health insurance benefits. He underscores that adherence to a total program of care, including diet, exercise and medication, is critical to patients with HIV. “All team members reinforce adherence,” says Kietrys. “For individuals with HIV, there are often stigma and social isolation issues. A team approach can help overcome these obstacles to care.”
Kietrys sees the program as an excellent teaching opportunity. “At the clinic, students are exposed to a nontraditional setting for delivering physical therapy services,” he says. Kietrys posts the Fit-for-Life clinic dates and delivers a regular lecture to MPT students on the role of physical therapy for individuals with HIV. While there is no mandatory curriculum requirement, Kietrys reports consistent interest among students.
Fit-for-Life initially was funded through a grant provided by the federal Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Care Act. Private foundations and Bristol Myers Squibb Virology also have supported the program. Kietrys is so committed to the Fit-for -Life mission that he has provided his services on a pro bono basis.
“Right now, all promotion for the program is by word of mouth,”
he says. In the future, Kietrys envisions Fit-for-Life expanded into a
general fitness/wellness program that will be made available to a
broader audience.
Return to the Oct 4, 2004 issue
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