Course Description
This course introduces students to the historical foundations and contemporary practice of physical therapy within an ever-changing health care environment. Traditional and emerging roles and responsibilities, professional relationships, and professional behaviors requisite to functioning as a physical therapist assistant will be explored and emphasized. Students will cultivate self-awareness and personal and professional development in cultural competence, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, group dynamics and leadership. A culture rooted in the core values of the profession will be established and provide the base for on-going consideration of ethical and legal issues. Students will be introduced to strategies to acquire, appraise, and integrate professional literature and resources into evidence-based practice.
Prerequisite(s)
Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program - Must be completed prior to taking this course.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Course Outcome Goal 1A: Communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team and involved parties. (7D7)
- Course Outcome Goal 1C: Educate others using established techniques and methods commensurate with the learning characteristics of the audience. (7D12)
- Course Outcome Goal 3B: Participate in performance improvement activities (quality assurance). (7D29)
- Course Outcome Goal 3C: Describe aspects of organizational planning and operation of the physical therapy service. (7D30)
- Course Outcome Goals 3E: Acquire, appraise, and integrate evidence-based resources to support problem-solving and clinical decision-making in the provision of best practices in physical therapy. (7D11,7D10)
- Course Outcome Goals 4A: Identify legal practice standards, including all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and safety. (7D1, 7D2, 7D3)
a. Describe mechanisms for reporting suspected cases of abuse of vulnerable populations
b. Describe mechanisms for reporting suspected fraud and abuse related to payment and utilization of physical therapy services. - Course Outcome Goals 4B: Identify the duties of the PTA that are consistent with the Guide for Conduct of the Physical Therapist Assistant (APTA), Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (APTA), and with value-based behaviors and standards for ethical conduct in the profession. (7D4, 7D5, 7D6)
- Course Outcome Goals 4C: Identify, respect, and act with consideration for patients’/clients’ differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all work-related activities. (7D8)
- Course Outcome Goals 5A: Achieve and maintain clinical and professional competence that sustain career development and lifelong learning to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the Physical Therapist Assistant, including the role of clinical education of the physical therapist assistant students. (7D14)
- Course Outcome Goals 6A: Participate in professional and community organizations and the available opportunities for volunteerism, advocacy, and leadership. (7D13)
Topical Outline
1. Professionalism in Physical Therapy
2. Roles, Responsibilities, and Current Trends
3. Communication and Cultural Competence
4. Personality Types and Emotional Intelligence - Psychosocial Impacts in Contemporary Practice
5. Licensure and Regulation
6. Legal and Ethical Issues
7. Current Healthcare Environment, Financing and Reimbursement