Course Description
This course presents students with a body systems approach to the etiology, pathology, signs/symptoms, risk factors, and prognosis and medical treatment of specific diseases and conditions across the lifespan often seen in physical therapy. Students will be introduced to behavioral, social, and environmental factors contributing to disease and dysfunction as well as the psychosocial-spiritual impact on health care. Primary systems of study include musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, and endocrine and diseases affecting multiple systems. Students will study the fundamental basis of these diseases and conditions related to these systems and discuss related physical therapy implications. This course may be taught in an on-line or hybrid format.
Prerequisite(s)
Admission to the Physical Therapist Assistant program and BIOL 2644 - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Course Outcome Goal 1C: Educate others using established techniques and methods commensurate with the learning characteristics of the audience. (7D12)
- Course Outcome Goal 2A: Use established classification models within the profession to describe patient/client’s pathology, impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. (7D16)
- Course Outcome Goal 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 Goal 4C: Identify, respect, and act with consideration for patients’/clients’ differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all work-related activities. (7D8)
- Course Outcome Goal 6B: Promote health and wellness by modeling a healthy lifestyle and participating in activities that encourage the public to adopt healthy behaviors, optimize mobility, and improve fitness.
Topical Outline
1. Diagnosis of Disease – Diagnostic Resources, Laboratory Tests and Values and Intro to Pharmacology
2. Behavioral, Social, and Environmental Factors Contributing to Disease and Dysfunction and The Psychosocial-Spiritual Impact on Health Care
3. Injury, Inflammation, and Healing; Integumentary System
4. Immune System; Infectious Disease
5. Pathology of the Nervous System
6. Pathology of the Musculoskeletal System
7. Endocrine System