Clinical Decision Making & Differential Diagnosis (402-B)

The course will cover the principles and methods of clinical screening in physical therapy practice. A basic format for musculoskeletal, neuro muscular. Integumentary and cardiopulmonary screening in physical therapy will be present, with a focus on differential diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy practice.Decision making skills related to physical therapy will be emphasized through the use of patient case scenarioswith a focus on when to treat, and when to refer.

Students will be able to analyze and interpret the principles and methods of clinical screening in physical therapy practice. They will understand the differential diagnosis of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, Integumentary, and cardiopulmonary disorders with a focus on the scope of physical therapy practice, the role of the physician and referral. The students will be able to learn advanced decision-making skills related to physical therapy with a focus on when to treat, and/or when to refer

See Course Outline for more details

LEARNING OUTCOME:-

Upon completion of this course, the Students will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to learn advanced decision-making skills related to physical therapy with a focus on when to treat, and/or when to refer
Demonstrates superior ability to summarize the clinical history and present to the attending and the patient in an appropriately organized way.
Consistently demonstrates the ability to listen carefully by accurately communicating information presented
Demonstrate ability to form an excellent doctor-patient relationship with patients from different cultural, racial, and ethnic, gender and sexual orientation consistently
Communicates effectively and compassionately with patients and family in all three modalities (nonverbal, verbal, and written)
Demonstrates ability to perform a full or focused physical examination on any patient in a logical sequence appropriate for the clinical problem directed from the clinical history and visit type/time
Demonstrates the ability to utilize clinical findings to prioritize additional anatomical and physiological testing in a systematic and logical way
Demonstrates ability to describe a well designed plan of management in any patient with acute or chronic illness
Demonstrates ability to correlate the findings of a patient at clinical presentation

Readings/Reference Books:

1) Goodman CC, Snyder TEK. Differential Diagnostics for Physical Therapists: Screening for Referral. Saint Louis, MO: Saunders: Elsevier; 2006. ISBN: 978-0-7216-0619-4

2) APTA. Guide to Physical Therapy Practice: Revised second edition. Alexandria, VA: American Physical Therapy Association; 2003. ISBN: 978-1-887759-85.