PHTH 846: Differential Diagnosis and Imaging in Physical Therapy Practice

This course will explore the physical therapist's role as an interdependent practitioner working within a collaborative medical model.   Inherent in the responsibilities associated with this role is the ability to recognize clinical manifestations that suggest that physician contact or referral is warranted regarding a client's health status.  A proposed examination scheme will provide the structure for discussion and case studies.  The course emphasis will be in presenting the clinical tools and decision-making processes necessary to more efficiently and effectively collect and evaluate patient examination data. This includes prioritizing examination procedures while not placing the client/patient at risk.  Professional communication with the patient/client and other healthcare professionals will also be a central theme.

This course will also provide an overview of diagnostic imaging as it relates to physical therapist practice.  Students will review images and describe normal abnormal findings, to enhance understanding of strengths and limitations of various imaging modalities, pathological processes, interpretation of clinical examination findings, and development of safe and effective patient plans of care. In addition, within the practice paradigm associated with APTA's Vision 2020 and the attributes of the autonomous practitioner, material and cases will be presented to facilitate making appropriate patient referrals for imaging modalities (plain film radiography, MRI, CT Scan, and Bone scan)  for commonly seen out- patient populations. Students will utilize information from Gross Anatomy , Pathophysiology , Pharmacology , the Foundations course series, and Communication to analyze case scenarios, and to develop logical and effective clinical pathways. Required readings and lectures combined with a series of patient cases and group discussions will be utilized means of learning and applying differential diagnostic and medical imaging principles and promoting ethical and effective clinical decision-making.