Courses
PTH 6100. Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills to competently screen patients for non-neuromusculoskeletal conditions, interpret clinical findings, and make sound clinical judgments that include providing appropriate referral when beyond the scope of physical therapy practice. Emphasizes diagnostics theory and process skills for a physical therapist to perform a complete and thorough history and relevant regional physical examination.
PTH 6101. Medical Screening and Nutrition for Physical Therapists. (5 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills to screen patients for non-neuromusculoskeletal conditions, interpret clinical findings, and make sound clinical judgments that include providing appropriate referral when beyond the scope of physical therapy practice. Emphasizes diagnostics theory and process skills for a physical therapist to perform a complete and thorough history and relevant regional physical examination. Examines the fundamental role of nutrition in promoting health, focusing on the physiological functions of energy-providing nutrients in the body and their interrelationships. Emphasizes clinical applications for the treatment of weight disorders, various medical disorders, and eating disorders. Addresses nutritional requirements needed to maintain good health and promote healing and rehabilitation.
PTH 6102. Cultural Competency for Healthcare Providers. (1 Hour)
Seeks to address the American Physical Therapy Association’s mandate that physical therapists have the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes to treat patients with a wide range of differences. These differences are not limited to race or ethnicity alone; therefore, it is not sufficient to instruct students in the characteristics of a particular non-Anglo-European culture. As noted in the Code of Ethics, physical therapists must be able to understand, value, and individualize patient communication and interventions to reflect these differences. Offers students an opportunity to begin developing an understanding and respect for cultural and personal differences and to build a foundation for further professional growth.
PTH 6103. Consultation, Delegation, and Screening. (1 Hour)
Offers parameters for legal and ethical delegation to others. Offers students an opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills to determine when a person requires further evaluation by a physical therapist or referral to another healthcare professional when the findings are beyond the scope of physical therapy practice. In addition, students are expected to acquire skills in providing consultation to nonpatient groups and to individuals who are responsible for the health needs of the community. This may involve working with groups of clients, policy makers, healthcare providers, and community-service workers.
PTH 6104. Integumentary System. (2 Hours)
Discusses the physical therapist patient management process as it applies to the integumentary system. Examines the process of normal wound healing and the role of the physical therapist in the management of wounds. Covers pressure ulcers, ulcers due to venous and arterial insufficiency, diabetic ulcers, and burns. Details the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcome assessment of each wound category. Incorporates the use of case studies to integrate the information. Requires permission of instructor for students without a physical therapy degree.
PTH 6105. Metabolic Disorders. (2 Hours)
Offers a clinically oriented course that discusses the physical therapist patient management process as it applies to metabolic disorders. Presents basic medical science and medical management of diabetes mellitus (DM), thyroid, parathyroid and bone disorders, steroid therapy, liver disease, and metabolic syndrome. Details the role of the physical therapist in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and outcome assessment involving the most common endocrine and metabolic problems encountered in physical therapy practice. Includes the use of case studies. Offers students an opportunity to synthesize their own physical therapy diagnosis and plan of care for patients with metabolic disorders. Requires prior completion of degree in physical therapy.
PTH 6110. Diagnostic Imaging. (4 Hours)
Introduces the practicing physical therapist to clinical interpretation of various medical imaging techniques, including plain film radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computerized tomography. Emphasizes developing familiarity with the visual appearance of various image modalities, recognition and appreciation of common views employed, assessment of normal and abnormal anatomy, and avoidance of common pitfalls in clinical interpretation within the scope of physical therapy practice.
PTH 6130. Pharmacology. (3 Hours)
Covers advanced concepts of pharmacologic management of patients/clients and the interrelationship of pharmacologic management with physical therapy interventions. This includes the physiological processes involved in pharmacodynamics as well as pharmacokinetics with nutrition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Offers students an opportunity to learn how to identify those drugs commonly taken by physical therapy patients and their side effects.
PTH 6140. Motor Control. (4 Hours)
Examines advanced topics in motor control and learning. Involves the study of mechanisms underlying the production, control, and rehabilitation of movement control and motor learning. The application of current research to clinical practice across a variety of settings is a vital component of this course. Discusses the behavioral, neural, cognitive, and physical components of motor control and learning, emphasizing the integration of these with physical therapy practice.
PTH 6200. Research Methods and Statistical Analysis. (5 Hours)
Presents a computer-oriented introduction to statistical methods with applications in life science. Incorporates descriptive statistics, correlation, probability and regression, and the fundamentals of statistical inference. Discusses the relevance of research and statistical analysis in determining the evidence for the effectiveness of physical therapy.
PTH 6235. Administrative and Management Keys for Contemporary Physical Therapist Practice. (4 Hours)
Introduces physical therapists to the latest delivery models of practice and offers the underlying rationale for recent and pending evolutionary reform changes affecting practice. Expounds upon both the clinical and administrative responsibility and accountability essential for all contemporary physical therapy practice success. Presents the clinical competencies that are essential and define direct-access physical therapy. Explores additional administration and management concepts with regard to developing a business plan; managing finances, facilities, and staff; assessing outcomes; and engaging in marketing and public relations. Reviews current trends in payment for physical therapy services as related to implementing the marketing strategies necessary to promote and defend autonomous, yet collaborative, models of physical therapy care.
PTH 6430. Educational Strategies for Effective Healthcare Delivery. (4 Hours)
Explores the diverse and growing teaching expectations and opportunities for physical therapists, including the roles of educator with students, patients/clients, family members, and in the community with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity. The role of physical therapist as educator requires an understanding of educational theory and pedagogy in various settings, from one-on-one sessions with a patient/client, to classroom situations, to public speaking in front of large and diverse crowds.
PTH 6480. Evidence-Based Exercise for the Older Adult. (4 Hours)
Seeks to supply the clinician with the most current and pertinent scientific evidence regarding the role of exercise in older adults. Offers students an opportunity to learn best practices to create an exercise prescription. Employs lectures, discussion boards, and case-study analysis to investigate the cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and neuromuscular systems involved in health of older adults. Offers students an opportunity to design exercise prescriptions for special populations, including those individuals with osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, and cardiopulmonary disease.
PTH 6490. Pediatric Physical Therapy: Emerging Topics and Evidence-Based Practice. (4 Hours)
Offers a forum for discussing current and pertinent scientific evidence on pediatric physical therapy. Topics include updated information on new medical diagnoses and the role of physical therapy (e.g., mitochondrial disorders), current evidence with regard to tests and measures, interventions, and adaptive equipment. Presents information on emerging and complementary and alternative therapies. Utilizes a variety of learning experiences, including online lecture, discussion, and case studies. Involves students in topic selection, literature presentations, and clinical case studies.
PTH 6563. Evidence-Based Examination and Outcomes for Lumbar Spine and Sacroiliac Joint. (4 Hours)
Reviews the anatomy and biomechanics of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint as it relates to musculoskeletal dysfunction. Presents an update on current medical and surgical interventions. Offers students an opportunity to use group case studies to improve their evidence-informed clinical decision making regarding the examination of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint. Analyzes the most current, pertinent scientific evidence and information regarding the rehabilitation of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint to include manipulation, imaging, and pharmacology.
Prerequisite(s): PTH 6560 with a minimum grade of C- or PTH 6100 with a minimum grade of C- or PTH 6101 with a minimum grade of C-
PTH 6564. Evidence-Based Examination and Outcomes for Lower Extremity: Hip, Knee, Foot, and Ankle. (4 Hours)
Reviews the anatomy and biomechanics of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot as it relates to musculoskeletal dysfunction. Offers students an opportunity to use case studies to gain advanced understanding of normal and abnormal gait as it relates to orthopedic dysfunction and to learn interventions to address faulty biomechanics. Seeks to provide clinicians with the most relevant information regarding evidence-informed rehabilitation for lower-extremity examination and treatment techniques.
Prerequisite(s): PTH 6560 with a minimum grade of C- or PTH 6100 with a minimum grade of C- or PTH 6101 with a minimum grade of C-
PTH 6900. Comprehensive Case Analysis. (4 Hours)
Offers students an opportunity to write a comprehensive and publishable case report, refine it, and analyze it with integration of the components of the patient/client management model, the processes of clinical decision making, and the effective and efficient use of resources. Cases include patients/clients from one of the four categories of conditions that make up the preferred practice patterns in the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. This case includes information from all courses taken as part of the Doctorate in Physical Therapy and serves as a capstone for the program.
Prerequisite(s): PTH 6100 with a minimum grade of C- or PTH 6101 with a minimum grade of C-
PTH 6962. Elective. (1-4 Hours)
Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.
PTH 6983. Topics in Physical Therapy. (4 Hours)
Provides students with an opportunity to study a specific area of interest that is not an elective already listed by completing a related course for credit as an elective in the DPT program. Requires the student to have the permission of the instructor as well as the director of the transitional DPT Program prior to taking the course.