Transitional D.P.T. Courses
PT 505 Clinical Decision Making (2 credits)
Physical therapists, like all other healthcare providers, routinely make decisions affecting patients in daily care. Such decisions may be based on a variety of sources including experience, intuition, testimonials from teachers or colleagues, and findings from the literature. This course is designed to provide a framework for making future and evaluating past clinical decisions based on the best available evidence. This course assists the student in developing the tools needed to provide evidence-based physical therapy practice. The course includes projects and online discussions relevant to each student’s clinical practice and ensure that the student applies the theories and tools to everyday situations.
PT 508 Medical Screening (2 credits)
This course helps to prepare the physical therapist to assume the role of an independent practitioner working within a collaborative medical model. Inherent in this role is the ability to recognize clinical manifestations that suggest physician or other healthcare provider contact is warranted regarding a patient’s health status. Students apply the concept of threshold detection to identify impairments or “red flags” in medical screening that warrant referral to other professionals. An examination scheme is designed to promote efficient and effective collection of patient data provide the structure for discussions. Patient cases are presented to illustrate important medical screening principles. Professional communication with patients and physicians is also a central theme.
PT 547 Health Promotion (2 credits)
Prevention, risk reduction and health promotion are activities included in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, and although physical therapists have performed these activities with individual patients/clients, participation in broader programs for communities or groups of people is an area of significant need and opportunity. Health promotion and wellness theory are presented in this course to prepare physical therapists to integrate these concepts into their current practice and/or to expand their practices and consultative skills in the prevention arena. Students also are introduced to a variety of techniques commonly used in the strategic planning process and will use those techniques to develop a plan for the introduction of a health promotion program relevant to their own practice setting or worksite. After the introduction and discussion of key concepts, including assessment and program planning, students complete a project and develop a health promotion program using the health promotion approach and strategic planning processes.
PT 555 Pharmacology (2 credits)
Individuals involved in healthcare recognize that drugs can influence patients’ response to physical rehabilitation. Medication can provide beneficial effects that act synergistically with physical therapy treatments, or they can generate side effects that may adversely affect rehabilitation goals. This course presents some of the basic drug classes and the physiologic basis of their action. Drugs are grouped according to their general effects and the type of disorders, for which they are routinely used to treat. Special emphasis is placed on drugs that are commonly used to treat disorders seen in patients receiving physical therapy and how drug therapy interacts with rehabilitation.
PT 556 Diagnostic Imaging (2 credits)
This course is an overview of the various types of diagnostic imaging procedures such as radiography, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear imaging. General principles related to indications, strengths and limitations of each method are discussed. Specific procedures related to various anatomic regions and pathologies also are covered. Case study presentations are used to emphasize the decision-making related to diagnostic imaging studies and what relevant information can be provided. Clinical decision-making in the context of evidence-based practice guides the discussion of each case.
PT 702 Case Analysis (2 credits)
Students develop a comprehensive case presentation based on a selected patient/client in their practice setting. The case analysis demonstrates the clinical decision-making process used to guide patient/client management throughout the episode of care, including the examination, evaluation, prognosis and planned interventions. Students address the use of specific diagnostic tests and imaging studies related to the case, the implications of the pharmacologic management of the patient and specific outcomes measures as they relate to decision-making and effective interventions.
PT 504 Teaching Methods* (2 credits)
Physical therapists assume the role of teacher in a variety of situations with a diverse group of learners. This course explores theories and methods related to effective teaching, student learning, and assessment strategies across multiple settings including clinic, classroom, laboratory, home setting and community. The role of educational technology in teaching and learning activities is emphasized. Examination of individual and social factors that influence health and wellness are discussed and key concepts from behavioral theories are applied to patient education in clinical practice situations. There is an introduction to educational assessment strategies for community-based health programs.
PT 656 Neuromuscular Tissues*(2 credits)
This course reviews the basic structure and function of various tissues within the neuromusculoskeletal system. These include muscle, nerve and various connective tissues such as tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone. The effects of altered patterns of use, common pathologies, and common interventions are discussed for each tissue as well. The neural control of multi-joint limb movement is discussed using current literature on motor control, cognition and motor learning including discussion of the relevance of the research on clinical practice. Traditional and contemporary theories are contrasted to assist in developing direct intervention strategies using skill acquisition theories. Emphasis is placed on reading and applying current basic science literature to justify and guide the practice of physical therapy.
PT 705/706/707 Clinical Practice Series* (only 1 required) (2 credits)
The Clinical Practice Series spans three separate 2-credit courses, each emphasizing recent advances in a particular specialty area of physical therapy practice. Transitional D.P.T. students are required to choose one based upon their area of practice. These courses are meant to provide the most recent evidence-based information related to clinical practice. The content in these courses reinforces and reflects principles taught in the clinical decision-making courses; however, emphasis is placed on specific recommendations for clinical management (i.e. content rather than process). Each course emphasizes a clinical reasoning process, use of appropriate tests and measures, use of appropriate interventions and the most relevant outcome measures.
PT 705 Orthopedic Physical Therapy* (2 credits)
Management of common orthopedic conditions related to the extremities and spine including non-surgical and post-operative problems.
PT 706 Neurologic Physical Therapy* (2 credits)
Management of hemiplegia, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and common pediatric conditions such as cerebral palsy.
PT 707 Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy* (2 credits)
Management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory illnesses and as well as patients following myocardial infarction or thoracic surgery including coronary artery bypass.
*Courses that may be waived based on Portfolio Assessment
