KINGSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
OF THE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Physical Therapy Assistant Program
Course Syllabus
PTA 10
Introduction to Physical Therapy
Course Description:
This course introduces the student to the physical therapy profession. Topics include: the history of physical therapy, pertinent laws of practice, code of conduct, the role of the professional association the role of the physical therapist and physical therapist assistant, definition of the rehabilitation population, communication skills and psycho-social aspect of disabilities.
Co-requisites: PTA 1,PTA 2,PTA 20, BIO11
Textbook Requirement: Pagliarulo, Michel, Introduction to Physical Therapy. Second Edition Mosby- Year Book, Inc., St. Louis, MO.
As evidenced by successful completion of written examinations, assignments and presentations, the student will:
1.0. Demonstrate an understanding of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant.
1.1. Identify and describe the history of physical therapy.
1.2. Define the American Physical Therapy Association, its function and structure.
1.3. Define the roles, responsibilities, and functions of the physical therapist,
Physical therapist assistant and physical therapy aide.
1.4. Interpret the components of the Code of Ethics and laws governing practice.
1.5. Discuss the current changes in health care and the role of the physical
therapist and physical therapist assistant.
1.6. Relate the roles ,responsibilities and functions of the physical therapist and physical therapist assistant in contemporary practice to the changes in health care.
2.0. Demonstrate an understanding of the health care delivery system and the
physical therapist assistant's role within it.
2.1. Define levels of care within the delivery system (acute, subacute,
rehab, skilled nursing, home care, etc.)
2.2. Discuss legal, fiscal and ethical issues that affect the health care delivery system
2.3. Define concepts and principles of continuous quality improvement.
2.4. Define and identify the members of the interdisciplinary team.
2.5. Outline the roles of members of an interdisciplinary team
2.6. Outline principles and concepts of organizational structure including levels of
authority and responsibility and the supervisory process.
2.7. Construct a basic continuous quality improvement plan.
2.8. Analyze classes of diagnoses as they relate to levels of care required.
2.9. Analyze the role and responsibilities of members of the interdisciplinary team
in the contemporary practice of physical therapy.
3.0. Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate with patients, families,
peers, and other health care personnel.
3.1. Identify the role of both non-verbal and verbal communication in physical therapy.
3.2. Identify and explain the importance of patient and family teaching.
3.3. Analyze the affects of patient and family education on physical therapy outcomes.
3.4. Identify non-verbal and verbal communication behaviors.
3.5. Analyze the role of communication on cultural diversity, age diversity, patient privacy, death/dying and body image.
4.0. Attend to the psycho-social needs of patients and families.
4.1. Identify and discuss psycho-social aspects of disability that affect clinical practice.
4.2. Identify and discuss the physiology and consequences of aging.
4.3. Outline the components of patient privacy.
4.4. Explain cultural and age diversity present in clinical practice.
4.5. Recognize the diversity in coping mechanisms.
4.6. Describe coping mechanisms in death/dying, illness and disability.
4.7. Explain the importance of body image and its relationship to treating patient effectively.
4.8. Determine the affect of psycho-social aspect of disability on patient treatment outcomes.
4.9. Relate cultural and age diversity issues to patient treatment outcomes.
4.10Analyze psycho-social aspects of disability and the affect on patient treatment outcomes.
5.0. Given patient scenarios, implement comprehensive physical therapy treatment.
5.1. Observe the roles of members of an interdisciplinary team.
5.2. Use non-verbal and verbal communication strategies.
5.3. Examine patient and family coping mechanisms related to death/dying, illness and disability.
5.4. Implement ways to handle psycho-social events that interrupt patient treatment.
5.5. Educate a patient and family on the importance of physical therapy and the role of the physical therapist assistant.
5.6. Provide physical therapy within the scope and boundaries of the Code of Ethics and laws governing physical therapy.
6.0. Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior
6.1. Attends and is on time for class, lab, and scheduled appointments.
6.2. Is prepared for lab activities, attends to task assigned.
6.3. Accept constructive criticism and respond and/or follow through appropriately.
6.4. Express self in clear and easily understood manner.
6.5. Maintain appropriate personal hygiene.
6.6. Treat others with positive regards, dignity and respect.
6.7. Analyze and examine professional literature considering: specific scientific methods, interpretation of results, and clinical significance in order to foster further personal investigation and clinical effectiveness.
6.8. Explain the importance of life long learning.
6.9. Describe how professional development can occur.
Student Assessment
As indicated in the student handbook, to receive a passing grade in this course the student must successfully complete all comprehensive examination and assignments with a grade of “C” or better.
Grade Determination
Research Article Paper 10%
Take Home Quizzes 25%
Practical Experience Analysis 15%
Role Playing Presentations 10%
Mid-term Examination 20%
100%
Research Article Paper
The student summarizes and analyzes two research articles. The first article discusses a current change in health care. The second article may be on any topic but must be selected from Physical Therapy. The format of these papers is distributed in class. The research article papers are submitted during the fifth and eighth week of class. The research article papers are worth 10% of the final grade.
Take Home Quizzes
The student completes 4-6 take home quizzes. The student is required to read and analyze a clinical scenario. The student responds to questions specifically related to the material covered in this and concurrent courses. Quiz topics include: continuous quality improvement, organizational structure, ethical, cultural, communication and teaching, and legal and fiscal issues. Students complete and submit quizzes within 24 hours of receipt. In addition, each student completes the computer based module on ethical practice and submits writing assignments to the professor. These quizzes are worth 25% of the final grade.
Practical Experience Analysis
The student prepares a 3-5 page paper analyzing their physical therapy volunteer experience. The paper is based on a series of questions related to topics covered in this course as provided by the instructor. The paper is submitted during the tenth week of class. The paper is worth 15 % of the final grade.
Role Playing Presentation
Each group role plays a psycho-social scenario. Special attention is paid to diverse problem solving and communication strategies. The presentation are made during the twelfth week and is worth 10 % of the final grade.
Mid – Term Examination
The student takes a cumulative examination covering the first six weeks of the course.
The examination includes mainly of short essay and fill in type questions. The mid-term examination is worth 20%of the final grade.
Final Examination
The student takes a cumulative final examination. The examination is worth 20%of the
final grade.
Week # 1~Introduction to Physical Therapy
Lecture
Assignments: Pagliarulo Chapter 1
This initial week introduces the student to physical therapy. Topics include: what physical therapy is, the history of physical therapy, and contemporary physical therapy practice. Students are divided into study groups.
Week # 2 ~ Roles, Responsibilities and Current Trends
Lecture
Assignment: Pagliarulo Chapter 2,3
The introduction to physical therapy continues, emphasizing the role and responsibilities of a therapist and physical therapist assistant. The importance of life long learning, learning strategies and continued professional development is presented.
Week # 3 ~ Legal and Ethical Issues
Lecture
Assignments: Handouts (copies of Code of Ethics and Practice Act)
Pagliarulo Chapter 5
The student is instructed in the Code of Ethics and the Practice act for physical therapists
and physical therapist assistants.
Week # 4 ~ Legal and Ethical Issues con't
Lecture
Assignment: Pagliarulo Chapter 4,5
Computer Based Module on Ethics for PTA students including: introduction, moral foundations, ethics and professional ethics
Discussion on the Code of Ethics and the Practice Act continues. Current legal issues and
issues of malpractice is the focus of this week's lecture. The student is introduced to the American Physical Therapy Association including its structure, functions, national and local chapters and advantages to being a member.
Week # 5~ Current Trends in Contemporary Practice
Lecture
Assignments: Research article paper due.
Pagliarulo Chapter 6
The discussion on communication skills continues. The health care delivery system is defined and described. Current trends, including continues quality improvement and managed health care in the health care delivery system and the affect that these changes has on contemporary practice are studied.
Week # 6 ~ Communication and the Interdisciplinary Team
Lecture
Assignments:
Current trends in job opportunities and role/responsibilities of physical therapist and physical therapist assistant continues to be discussed. During this week, verbal and non-verbal communication issues are discussed including the importance of clear communication skills. Other health care professions are introduced and their role in the interdisciplinary team is defined. Examples of interdisciplinary team communications and functions are given.
Week # 7 ~ The Rehabilitation Population
Lecture
Mid-term Examination
The student is introduced to typical samples of the rehabilitation patient population. The
physiology and consequences of aging are discussed as relates to rehabilitation.
Emphasis is placed on identifying classes of diagnoses and health care setting placement.
Week # 8 ~ The Rehabilitation Population con't
Lecture
Assignments: Research Article Paper Due
Pagliarulo Chapter 2, 8, 9, 11
Computer Based Assignments due
The rehabilitation population discussion continues. Psycho-social differences between
classes of patients are discussed. The rehabilitation population is discussed in relation to
the contemporary practice of physical; therapy and health care delivery system.
Week # 9 ~ Introduction to Psycho-social Aspect of Disability
Lecture
Assignments:
The student is introduced to psycho-social aspects of disabilities that affect clinical practical. Cultural and age diversity issues are examined.
Week # 10 ~ Psycho-social Aspect of Disability con't
Lecture
Assignments: Practical Experience Analysis paper due
Discussion of psycho-social aspect of disabilities continues. Topics include: issue of
patient privacy and death/dying ,illness and disability.
Week # 11 ~ Psycho-social Aspects of Disability con't
Lecture
Assignment:
Discussion of psycho-social issues continues. Emphasis this week is placed on issues of
body image and how stages of development affect body image and coping mechanisms.
The affect of psycho-social issues on patient treatment and outcomes is also discussed.
Week # 12 ~ Patient and Family Education
Lecture
Assignments: Student groups present role playing psycho-social scenarios.
The importance and methods of patient and family education are studied as well as their
affect on physical therapy outcomes.