Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
THERAPEUTIC DEVICE
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THERAPEUTIC DEVICE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Biomedical Science
Class: SHS 3
Term: 1st Term
Week: 9
Grade code: 1.3.2.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 1.3.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.3.2.LI.2
Theme: BIOMEDICAL INTERVENTION
Subtheme: THERAPEUTIC DEVICE
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This lesson explores the vital role of therapists in the Ghanaian healthcare system. While the sub-strand is named "Therapeutic Device," we will focus on the human element—the therapist—as the most critical "instrument" or agent for delivering therapy. In Ghana, as students prepare for WASSCE, deal with family pressures, or see relatives recover from illness or accidents, understanding the professionals who help people regain function and well-being is incredibly relevant. This lesson moves beyond doctors and nurses to shed light on a crucial and growing field of healthcare professionals who help patients heal, recover, and live fuller lives.
Introduction (Connecting "Device" to "Therapist"): Our sub-strand is "Therapeutic Device". We often think of a device as a machine, like an X-ray machine or a ventilator. However, in the world of therapy, the most important "device" or tool is the therapist themselves. A therapist uses their expert knowledge, specialised skills, and hands-on techniques to provide treatment. They are the living, thinking, and caring agents of recovery. This lesson focuses on these essential professionals.
Part 1: Defining Key Terms What is Therapy? Definition: Therapy (also called treatment) is the process of helping someone to heal, recover from an illness, injury, or disability, or to relieve a health problem. The goal is to improve a person's function, comfort, and overall quality of life. Example: A footballer who twists their ankle undergoes therapy to reduce pain, strengthen the joint, and be able to play again. Who is a Therapist? Definition: A therapist is a trained and licensed healthcare professional who provides a specific type of therapy. They have specialised education and skills in their area of practice. They work to diagnose, assess, and treat various physical, mental, emotional, and developmental conditions. Key Point: A therapist is not just a friend giving advice. They are highly qualified professionals who are part of the formal healthcare system.
Part 2: Major Specialties of Therapists in Ghana
Here are some of the most common types of therapists you will find working in Ghanaian hospitals, clinics, schools, and communities. Physiotherapist (Physical Therapist - PT) Who they are: Experts in movement and physical function. They are often called "movement specialists." What they do: Help patients recover from injuries (e.g., bone fractures, muscle tears), illnesses (e.g., stroke), and surgeries. Use techniques like therapeutic exercises, massage, heat therapy, and electrotherapy to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve strength and mobility. Ghanaian Context Example: After a tro-tro accident, a passenger has a broken leg. Once the cast is removed at the 37 Military Hospital, a physiotherapist will design exercises to help the person regain strength in their leg muscles and learn to walk correctly again, first with crutches and then without. They also work with athletes from teams like the Black Stars to recover from match injuries. Occupational Therapist (OT) Who they are: Professionals who help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). What they do: Focus on helping patients perform "Activities of Daily Living" (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, cooking, and writing. They help patients adapt to their social and physical environments. For example, they might recommend modifications to a person's home to make it safer after an illness. Ghanaian Context Example: An elderly woman who has suffered a stroke has weakness on her right side. A physiotherapist helps her to walk again. An occupational therapist then works with her to relearn how to hold a spoon to eat her banku, how to button her shirt with one strong hand, and how to safely use the bathroom on her own. The OT's goal is independence in daily life. Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) Who they are: Specialists who assess and treat communication and swallowing disorders. What they do: Work with children who have difficulty pronouncing words, stutter (stammer), or have developmental delays in language. Help adults who have lost the ability to speak or understand language due to a stroke, brain injury, or conditions like Parkinson's disease. Assess and manage swallowing problems (dysphagia) to prevent choking. Ghanaian Context Example: A child in Primary 4 has a severe stammer, making it difficult for him to answer questions in class. A speech therapist at the local education office or a specialised clinic would work with him using breathing techniques and speech exercises to improve his fluency and confidence. Psychotherapist / Counselor Who they are: Mental health professionals who help people manage and overcome mental, emotional, and psychological problems. What they do: Use "talk therapy" to help clients understand their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. Provide strategies for coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. Work with individuals, couples, families, or groups. Ghanaian Context Example: An SHS 3 student feels extreme anxiety and sleeplessness because of the pressure of the upcoming WASSCE. They could see a school counselor or a psychotherapist to learn coping mechanisms, manage their stress, and develop a healthier mindset towards the exams. Respiratory Therapist (RT) Who they are: Specialists who care for patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) problems. What they do: Manage life-support equipment like mechanical ventilators. Administer oxygen and inhaled medications. Perform tests to measure lung function. Ghanaian Context Example: A patient is brought to the emergency room at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital with a severe asthma attack and is struggling to breathe. A respiratory therapist would immediately administer nebulizer treatment and oxygen, monitor their breathing, and if necessary, assist doctors in placing the patient on a ventilator. Dietitian / Nutritionist Who they are: Experts in food and nutrition who provide medical nutrition therapy. What they do: Assess a patient's nutritional needs based on their health condition. Develop specialised meal plans to manage diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. Provide education on healthy eating habits. Ghanaian Context Example: A man is newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. A dietitian at a polyclinic would create a personalised meal plan for him, focusing on local Ghanaian foods. The plan might suggest swapping fufu made only from cassava with a mix of plantain and cassava, increasing his intake of garden egg stew and kontomire, and controlling his portion sizes of rice and kenkey to manage his blood sugar levels.