PT

This course is designed to build on understanding and competencies developed in PT 642. In addition to regional coverage of the upper spine and extremities, this course further refines the use of movement evaluation, to include screening examinations for application in a variety of injury prevention and performance settings. Other topics covered include: evaluation and treatment of running-related impairments, exercise management of pelvic impairments, exercise using aquatic environments, and movement-based therapies from other disciplines.

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to evaluate movement and prescribe therapeutic exercise. The course is integrated with several other movement-based courses in the curriculum, building on foundational topics covered in the first year of the program. Content related to movement evaluation is highly integrated with the concurrent PT641 course.

This course is designed to provide the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform competent orthopedic musculoskeletal examinations, evaluations, and interventions for the cervical spine, thoracic spine, rib cage, and temporomandibular joint. There is coherent integration of this course with PT 638, PT 639, PT 646 and PT 643. Emphasis is placed on the development of declarative knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to perform an orthopedic examination and synthesize data to establish an evidence-informed physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care.

This course explores the physiological and biophysical effects of biophysical agents as they relate to tissue healing, pain relief, and restoration of function. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning for the selection of the appropriate physical agent and intervention parameters based on current evidence and clinical case examples.

This course provides the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform competent orthopedic musculoskeletal examinations, evaluations, and interventions for the lower extremity. There is coherent integration of this course with PT 638 and PT 642. Emphasis is placed on the development of declarative knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to perform an orthopedic examination and synthesize data to establish an evidence-informed physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care.

This course provides the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform competent orthopedic musculoskeletal examinations, evaluations, and interventions for the lumbosacral spine and pelvis. There is coherent integration of this course with PT 639 and PT 642. Emphasis is placed on the development of declarative knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to perform an orthopedic examination and synthesize data to establish an evidence-informed physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care.

This course is a study of ambulation including the biomechanics of gait. Normal gait frames the course, followed by study of orthotic interventions for the adult patient. Gait characteristics of individuals with lower extremity amputation and the role of physical therapists in gait training and prosthetic management of individuals with amputation complete the course.

This course provides an overview of the etiology, incidence, pathology, and medical management of common cardiac and pulmonary conditions across the lifespan. Appropriate physical therapy examination and intervention strategies for individuals with either primary or secondary cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction are introduced both in the context of a specialized cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation setting as well as in general physical therapy practice.

This course explores foundational understanding of what it means to be a professional in health care. Students delve into social issues: forces impacting health care, the role of legislative and political bodies as they relate to health care, social determinants -- their impact on health care, and healthcare seeking behavior. Students examine the PT Code of Ethics, the role of professional organizations as they impact health professionals, and apply the cognitive and emotional skills essential to navigating healthcare complexity and uncertainty.

This course introduces students to the concept of using research to inform clinical decision-making skills. Development of measurement and disciplined inquiry skills including emphasis on problem definition, research design, methodology, data analysis and statistical interpretation are stressed. Students learn to incorporate evidence into their PT practice and how to critically appraise multiple types of studies. The information is conveyed through didactic lectures, discussions, cases, and integrated journal club seminars. There is a large active learning component in this course.