News - Rutgers - School of Health Professions

Rutgers SHP Requirements for Graduation and Course Descriptions

Department of Rehabilitation & Movement Sciences

Doctor of Physical Therapy - North

PTDR7310 - Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy I

Course Description

This course focuses on the acquisition and integration of knowledge, manual skills and problem- solving skills involved in developing and implementing an intervention for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. It introduces the student to the principles of physical therapy evaluation and management of the patient with musculoskeletal conditions as they apply to the lower and upper extremities. Lectures emphasize the comprehension of procedures and techniques related to the evaluation and management of current and potential musculoskeletal conditions. Laboratory sessions address skill development for performing examination and manual treatment techniques safely and effectively, and integrating these techniques with therapeutic exercise, soft tissue mobilization and physical agents.

By the end of the class the successful student will be able to provide a physical therapy evaluation and treatment program to a patient with a simple to moderately complex extremity musculoskeletal condition.

Credits/Modes of Instruction

Credits: 3

Lecture hours 30, Laboratory hours 45

Content will be presented via a combination of classroom lectures and discussions, laboratory demonstration and practice, small group exercises, and assigned readings. A case-based approach will be utilized in this course.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of all required coursework prior to this class, as per the Requirements for Graduation.

Course Goals and Outcomes:

Goals

Goal 7D7 Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including patients/clients, family members, caregivers, practitioners, interprofessional team members, consumers, payers, and policymakers. (Professional Ethics, Values and Responsibilities)

Goal 7D11 Identify, evaluate and integrate the best evidence for practice with clinical judgment and patient/client values, needs, and preferences to determine the best care for a patient/client. (Professional Ethics, Values and Responsibilities)

Goal 7D16 Determine when patients/clients need further examination or consultation by a physical therapist or referral to another health care professional. (Patient/Client Management - Screening)

Goal 7D17 Obtain a history and relevant information from the patient/client and from other sources as needed. (Patient/Client Management - Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis)

Goal 7D18 Perform a system review. (Patient/Client Management Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis)

Goal 7D19 Select and competently administer tests and measures appropriate to the patient’s age, diagnosis and health status including, but not limited to, those that assess:
Anthropometric characteristics
Assistive technology
Cranial and peripheral nerve integrity
Environmental factors
Gait
Integumentary integrity
Integumentary
Joint integrity and mobility
Mobility
Motor function
Muscle performance
Pain
Posture
Range of motion
Reflex integrity
Self-care and civic, community, domestic, education, social and work life
Sensory integrity
(Patient/Client Management - Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis)

Goal 7D20 Evaluate data from the examination (history, health record, systems review, and tests and measures) to make clinical judgments. (Patient/Client Management - Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis)

Goal 7D22 Determine a diagnosis that guides future patient/client management. (Patient/Client Management - Examination, Evaluation and Diagnosis)

Goal 7D23 Determine patient/client goals and expected outcomes within available resources (including applicable payment sources) and specify expected length of time to achieve the goals and outcomes. (Patient/Client Management - Prognosis and Plan of Care)

Goal 7D24 Establish a safe and effective plan of care in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders, including patients/clients, family members, payers, other professionals and other appropriate individuals. (Patient/Client Management - Prognosis and Plan of Care)

Goal 7D26 Create a discontinuation of episode of care plan that optimizes success for the patient in moving along the continuum of care. (Patient/Client Management – Prognosis and Plan of Care)

Goal 7D27 Perform competently physical therapy interventions to achieve patient/client goals and outcomes. Interventions include:
Assistive technology
Functional Training in self-care and in domestic, education, work, community, social and civic life.
Manual therapy techniques
Motor function training
Patient/client education
Therapeutic exercise
(Patient/Client Management – Intervention)

Goal 7D30 Monitor and adjust the plan of care in response to patient/client status. (Patient/Client Management - Management of Care Delivery)

Goal 7D31 Assess patient outcomes, including the use of appropriate standardized tests and measures that address impairments, functional status and participation. (Patient/Client Management - Management of Care Delivery)

Outcomes

1. Select communication styles with sensitivity to differences in race/ethnicity, religion, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, and disability or health status. (C6)
2. Demonstrate professional and technically correct oral and written communication skills. (P5)
3. Analyze and apply the professional literature to the decision making process while evaluating and managing patient/clients. (C3, C4)
4. Select appropriate screening tests and measures based on the patient/client presentation. (C6)
5. Appraise the need for further physical therapy examination and consultation, and for referral to other health care practitioners. (C6)
6. Select and demonstrate patient/client history components based on the patient/client needs. (C6, P5)
7. Demonstrate and assess systems reviews (musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, integumentary) based on patient/client needs and complexity. (C3, P5)
8. Choose and demonstrate appropriate tests and measures to examine and evaluate the patient’s reported signs and symptoms.
(C6, P5)
9. Integrate data from the examination in order to formulate a clinical judgment that leads to a diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care. (C5)
10. Appraise the symptom clusters that lead to the determination of suspecting, confirming, or ruling out common musculoskeletal conditions seen by physical therapists and that have the potential to inform treatment. (C6)
11. Estimate the level of improvement that should be obtained through intervention within a given amount of time. (C6)
12. Formulate measurable goals and functional outcomes that specify expected time duration. (C5)
13. Design a plan of care based on impairments and the patient’s / client’s goals that complies with the standards of practice and is evidence-based. (P7)
14. Design a discharge plan based on impairments and the patient’s / client’s goals that complies with the standards of practice and is evidence-based. (C5)
15. Demonstrate correct techniques when providing patients with therapeutic exercise, functional training, manual therapy techniques, devices and equipment and patient education. (P5)
16. Adapt the plan of care in response to the patients/client status, compliance, need for supervision, time availability and plan for discharge. (P6)
17. Choose and appraise data from re-examinations to determine progress. (C6)