Narrative reflection written by Alondra Ortiz Quiñones – Integrating Engineering, Technology, and Rehabilitation – Spring 2025

When I signed up for this class, I was searching for a way to explore the medical field outside a laboratory. I was eager to learn how technology could be integrated with a clinical perspective to improve patient outcomes. However, I never imagined we would have the opportunity to engage directly with patients or observe clinical students in action. These experiences provided me with an invaluable understanding of the human side of rehabilitation and deepened my appreciation for the diverse ways professionals approach patient care.

One of the most impactful moments of the class was the interview with a stroke survivor. This interaction was profoundly educational, not only because of the insights shared by the patient but also because of the collaborative learning that emerged from observing my classmates. We had the opportunity to meet a stroke survivor who had an ischemic stroke that affected her left side, experiencing decreased motor control. During the interview, we had the time to get to know her enthusiastic personality and talked about her goals and optimistic ways towards her recovery. I was amazed about the way my clinical classmates evolved with the conversation about her medical needs and the progression in her condition. Meanwhile, I was impressed about her great recovery and thinking how technology would be advantageous for her treatments. These things made me think about the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. 

She described that the challenges she experienced with her motor control led her to modify her physical activities like swimming and jogging. She has adapted to this very new life, trying to stay active while facing the limitations of her body. Now, she tries to walk every day, swims a little bit, and is involved in volunteer work to raise awareness about strokes and how they can affect anyone at any stage of life. She even has developed new hobbies like painting and writing. Also, she has been willing to try every kind of treatment that doctors have offered her. I became really fascinated with her story and her personal motivation. It made me think about my assumptions in rehabilitation. Her story made me realize that recovery is not just about devices or therapy; it is also about resilience, motivation, and trust in the healthcare team. This realization gave me a deeper sense of responsibility as a future biomedical professional.

Another significant learning moment was discovering the PoNS (Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator) device, an innovative rehabilitation tool. This tongue-based device sends electrical impulses to the brain, helping it form new neural pathways to restore lost functions. While the PoNS device has shown remarkable potential, its high cost makes it inaccessible to many patients. That was the case with the stroke survivor we met, but that didn’t stop her from getting treatment. She built her own tongue-based device, and it worked for her. Even though we hadn’t had the time to talked about how she made it or the steps for her to build the device, it made me consider the importance of designing technologies that are not only effective but also affordable.

Reflecting on these experiences made me realize that technology is not just about innovation; it’s about how innovations are applied to improve lives in meaningful ways. Observing the clinical students taught me the value of understanding the patient’s story, struggles, and goals. This understanding made me gained a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation. Engineers and clinicians think differently, but these differences make their partnership powerful. This class reinforced my desire to work in an environment where these collaborations thrive, as they represent the future of patient-centered care.

Finally, this interview experience has reshaped how I think about the patient’s role in recovery. Rehabilitation is not a one-way street; it requires effort, determination, and trust from the patient. I am excited to explore how technology can make a meaningful impact in rehabilitation and beyond. I will examine more case studies of how patients interact with medical devices, develop a stronger understanding of accessibility challenges, and identify ways to design cost-effective solutions, so I can ensure my future work in biomedical engineering is both innovative and patient centered.