Maricopa Community Colleges  PTA230   19972-19975 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 10/22/96
PTA230 19972-19975 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Physical Therapy Seminar
Current practices and issues in physical therapy. Includes clinical problem solving, ethics, legal aspects, reimbursement, case management, research, and employment issues. Prerequisites or Corequisites: PTA206 or permission of department.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
PTA230   19972-19975 Physical Therapy Seminar
1. Describe a system of clinical problem solving for physical therapy treatment problems. (I)
2. Analyze a given clinical physical therapy problem and develop an action plan to solve the problem. (I)
3. Describe the key points of the code of ethics for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants outlined by the American Physical Therapy Association. (II)
4. Describe the importance of documentation in the physical therapy practice setting. (III)
5. Describe the legal issues involved with prescriptions for physical therapy. (III)
6. Compare different methods of reimbursement for physical therapy services and discuss their implications for service delivery. (IV)
7. Complete a resume in the pursuit of employment as a physical therapist assistant. (V)
8. Prepare a list of questions for a job interview emphasizing the important aspects of the physical therapist assistant job. (V)
9. Describe the necessary characteristics of the physical therapist assistant as an employee. (VI)
10. Describe methods of stress management related to work activities in physical therapy. (VII)
11. Given a case example, prioritize the patient's problems and give a reationale for the physical therapy treatment program. (VIII)
12. Given a case example, prepare a complete treatment plan from initial evaluation to discharge from physical therapy. (VIII)
13. Describe the role of research in physical therapy practice. (IX)
14. Describe the key elements of research design and their application to the practice setting. (IX)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
PTA230   19972-19975 Physical Therapy Seminar
    I. Clinical problem solving
        A. Gather data
        B. Define the problem
        C. Possible solutions
        D. Develop an action plan
        E. Implement the plan
        F. Assess the effectiveness of the plan
        G. Modify the plan
        H. Consideration of discharge
      II. Ethical concerns
          A. Patient confidentiality
          B. Patient-therapist interaction
          C. APTA code of ethics - key points
          D. Issues in supervision
          E. Other
        III. Legal issues
            A. Documentation
            B. Malpractice
            C. Standards of practice
            D. Licensure/certification
            E. Prescriptions
          IV. Reimbursement issues
              A. Private insurance
              B. Managed care
              C. Medicare
              D. Medicaid/AHCCCS
              E. Other
            V. Finding employment
                A. Resume writing
                B. Publicized job vacancies
                C. Interviewing
                D. The employment agreement
              VI. Physical therapist assistant characteristics
                  A. Punctuality/attendance
                  B. Clinical competency
                  C. Productivity
                  D. Characteristics
                  E. Health team member
                  F. Other
                VII. Stress management
                    A. Stress management techniques
                    B. Signs of "burnout"
                  VIII. Case management
                      A. Evaluation to discharge
                      B. Treatment plans
                      C. Case examples
                    IX. Issues in research
                        A. Role
                        B. Research method
                        C. Applications - clinical setting
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