Complex Patient: Didactic and Clinical Integration

Catalog description

This course is specifically designed for physical therapy students in their final semester to help the student synthesize information from all preceding classes for application towards patient management as well as to passing of the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE). This course focuses on developing sound clinical reasoning in the evaluation of and formation of plans of care for the complex multi-system patient. During this course students will have opportunities to draw on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses and clinical experiences by practicing and critically analyzing sample NPTE-type questions. Students will apply this knowledge in a hands-on manner by evaluating, establishing a plan of care and initiating treatment for patient-actors who present with diagnoses related to different systems. Feedback will be provided in a constructive manner with the intent to foster reflection of the problem-solving process. Students will reinforce their documentation skills by writing SOAP notes for the sessions they provide, using the WEBPT electronic documentation system. After completing this course, it is expected that students will be better prepared to take the NPTE and will be able to identify areas of personal weakness for further self-study. Additionally, students will be prepared to integrate their knowledge and clinical skills for application during their final clinical learning experiences as well as when they enter the field as autonomous physical therapy practitioners.