Clinical Education IV/V
Description
The culminating coursework in our Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum, students enrolled in these Clinical Education courses have the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in managing a caseload with minimal guidance from a clinical instructor.The student should synthesize skills in order to examine patients, evaluate findings, design appropriate interventions, and progress patient care plans, perform clinical problem solving, display professional judgment, and participate in discharge planning and development of home exercise plans as an effective member of the healthcare team. The student’s level of responsibility should increase progressively throughout the course to that of an entry level physical therapist. CI supervision should progress from direct to collaborative in nature.
Additional Coursework Completed Prior To:
Clinical Education IV/V or IV, V
CASE STUDY SEMINAR
Applies the principles of evidence-based practice to selected patient cases from current practice settings across a variety of physical therapy diagnoses. The case studies are an intensive investigation designed to analyze and understand medical and/or surgical factors important to the etiology, care, and outcome of the patients' problems. Included are factors related to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, endocrine/rheumatological, musculoskeletal, neurological, genitourinary, pulmonary, psychosocial, and hemato-oncological problems.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
Integrates medical screening of major organ systems with existing physical therapy examination techniques in order to enable the student to differentiate between patients and clients who are appropriate for physical therapy intervention and those who should be referred to other medical practitioners. Complex cases with multisystem diseases will be discussed.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IV Prepares the student to enter the profession. Topics include current issues in physical therapy, direction of the profession, postgraduate development and specialization, and professional employment skills.
ORTHOTICS/PROSTHETICS
An in-depth review of the principles and practice of orthotics and prosthetics as applied by a physical therapist. This includes a survey of the basic biomechanical principles utilized in applying orthotic and prosthetic appliances as well as principles of patient application.
CLINICAL SCIENCE – MEDICINE AND SURGERY
General overview of most common diseases and surgical interventions in the practice of general medicine. Disease processes that demonstrate systemic manifestations and require intervention by a multidisciplinary team will be studied. Presentations will emphasize medical and surgical management procedures and a problem-based approach to physical therapy procedures that may be applied to this patient population.
WELLNESS AND PREVENTION
The role of physical therapy in wellness and prevention for individuals, groups, and communities. The physiological rationale behind designing comprehensive wellness programs is presented. Topics include the development and implementation of general fitness and prevention programs for a variety of clients, including those with chronic disabilities.
