PTA 221 - Physical Therapy Interventions for Special Populations

Number of Credits: 3
Examine diverse patient populations and intervention techniques to restore function. Engage in hands-on, experiential learning and simulated practice. Explore topics such as chronic pain management, environmental modifications, orthopaedics, geriatrics, amputation, wound care, acute care, lymphedema management, and other clinical considerations using best practices. Additional $75 fee required. (Spring term only) Three hours lecture each week. Three Credits. Three billable hours.

Pre-requisite(s): PTA 113.
Course Topics:
Infectious disease, acute and chronic pain management, Americans with Disabilities Act and environmental modifications, acute care (lines and tubes), ergonomics, orthopaedics, responding to deteriorating patients, incontinences, wound care, memory care, lymphedema, wheelchair prescription, healthcare leadership. Simulation-based learning to integrate and apply concepts learned across the program.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Integrate prior knowledge of anatomy and physiology, disease pathology, and aging to optimize client/patient well-being and functional independence (CAPTE 7D1, 7D2, 7D3; PG3)
2. Comply with national, state, and local laws and ethical standards (CAPTE 7D4, 7D5, 7D6, 7D7, 7D8, 7D9, 7D10, 7D11; PG4, PG5)
3. Use the ICF to describe a patient’s impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions (CAPTE 7D1; PG2)
4. Describe appropriate interventions to address airway clearance, aerobic capacity, endurance testing, balance, strength, proprioception, etc. as applicable to various pathology
(CAPTE 7D2, 7D3; PG1)
5. Recognize medications prescribed to control systemic pathology (CAPTE 7D1, 7D8; PG3)
6. Perform appropriate objective tests and measures to establish baseline when provided with case scenarios for patients with systemic pathology (CAPTE 7D2, 7D3; PG1)
7. Identify changes in a patient’s state of arousal, mentation, or cognition (CAPTE 7D1, 7D2, 7D7; PG2, PG3)
8. Identify assistive and augmentative devices used to facilitate patient function, safety, or communication (CAPTE 7D1, 7D7; PG2)
9. Integrate evidence-based interventions to support critical clinical judgment (CAPTE 7D1, 7D2, 7D3, 7D6; PG1)
10. Compare and Contrast etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, interventions, and outcomes of various pathological presentations (CAPTE 7D2, 7D3; PG3).
11. Identify safety considerations and environmental factors that may impact patient performance to ensure optimal patient outcomes (CAPTE 7D7; PG3, PG5).
12. Integrate knowledge of diversity, health system disparities, and social determinants of health to promote patient-centered care (CAPTE 7D11; PG2, PG5)
13. Develop self-leadership skills to decrease healthcare provider burnout, self-awareness, and improved job satisfaction (CAPTE 7D7, 7D9; PG3, PG5)
14. Communicate effectively with team members, patients, family and caregivers recognizing differences in ability, cognition, language, and health literacy (CAPTE 7D6, 7D7, 7D8, 7D10, 7D11,
PG2)
15. Complete adequate documentation that conveys skilled interventions and medical necessity, including appropriate billing codes with rationale (CAPTE 7D4, PG2, PG3, PG4, PG5)

After completing patient simulation and case scenario activities
related to pain and pathology, the student should be able to:

1. Compare and contrast motor control and motor learning theories
2. Initiate an appropriate patient hand-off for progression of treatment (7D28)
3. Adhere to legal practice standards, including all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to patient/client care (7D1)
4. Communicate effectively with all parties involved in the care of a patient (7D7)
5. Act with consideration for patient/client differences, values, and preferences (7D8)
6. Effectively educate others using teaching methods appropriate to the individual (7D12)
7. Review health records prior to carrying out plan of care (7D18)
8. Determine when an intervention should not be performed due to clinical indications (7D21)
9. Monitor and adjust interventions in response to patient status and clinical indications (7D19)
10. Identify appropriate standardized questionnaires including pain scales during patient simulation activities (7D24j)
11. Complete documentation that shows critical clinical judgment, skilled intervention, and fiscal management (7D25, 7D31)
12. Integrate evidence-based interventions to support critical clinical judgment (7D11)

Service Learning Objectives:

1. Coordinate volunteerism through service-learning with a chosen community partner (7D13)
2. Describe the relationship that healthcare providers develop with community members
3. Reflect on the professional and personal impact of service learning

Unit Specific Objectives:

Cardiopulmonary Unit

1. Sketch the flow of blood through the heart and coronary blood vessels
2. Identify the elements of the cardiac cycle
3. Describe the electrical pathway within the myocardium
4. Define terminology related to pulmonary function testing
5. Classify pulmonary pathology based on physiological impairment. For example, obstructive, restrictive, environmental, congenital
6. Describe airway clearance techniques including but not limited to active cycle breathing technique, autogenic drainage, postural drainage, percussion, and vibration (7D23a)

1. Detect clinical manifestations of pulmonary pathology including normal and abnormal breathing patterns (7D24n)
2. Assemble a clinical decision tree based on a cardiopulmonary case presentation.

Degenerative Diseases of the Central Nervous System Unit

1. Identify anatomical structures within the CNS
2. Explain the physiological pathogenesis in the development of: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease
3. Describe clinical presentation including motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction for a variety of CNS pathology
4. Implement brief but effective treatment session for a simulated patient with CNS pathology

Disorders of the PNS Unit

1. Identify anatomical structures of the PNS
2. Explain the physiological pathogenesis for the following disorders: Myasthenia Gravis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Post-polio Syndrome, Bell’s Palsy
3. Describe clinical presentation including motor and sensory dysfunction for a variety of PNS pathology
4. Identify potential physical therapy interventions that can be utilized in the care of PNS pathology
5. Recognize components of risk management and safety precautions for individuals with PNS pathology

Auto-immune Pathology Unit

1. Explain the clinical presentation including motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction of fibromyalgia and lupus erythematosus
2. Identify potential physical therapy interventions that can be utilized in the care of auto-immune pathology
3. Recognize components of risk management and safety precautions for individuals with auto-immune diseases

Epilepsy/Psychiatric Combined Unit

1. Explain the clinical presentation including motor, sensory, autonomic, cognitive, and/or psychosocial dysfunction of various pathology
2. Identify strategies for success for both clinician and patient during physical therapy sessions
3. Recognize components of risk management and safety precautions for individuals with epilepsy or psychiatric diagnoses