Doctor of Physical Therapy

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop skills that are fundamental to making informed clinical decisions based upon the best available evidence. Students will learn the steps involved in making evidence-based decisions, use multiple resources to acquire published evidence, and develop the ability to understand basic statistics reported in the literature. Students will learn to make specific measurements germane to the practice of physical therapy and will understand concepts of reliability and validity as they apply to these measures. In addition, students will develop a searchable foreground question, acquire evidence to answer it, appraise the evidence, and articulate the answer to the question contrasting the relative strengths and limitations of the available evidence.

Clinical Human Anatomy provides a comprehensive examination of the anatomy of the human body in preparation for the study of injuries and diseases commonly encountered in clinical practice. This course includes an emphasis on the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and peripheral nervous systems; with additional consideration given to the study of tissues and organ systems. The laboratory portion of the course includes supervised cadaveric dissection and/or examination of prosected human cadavers. Course Prerequisites: Matriculation in the CUW Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, or consent of instructor.

Pathophysiology is the study of human physiologic function in disease. It examines the etiology, morphology and pathogenesis of human disease with correlations to clinical manifestations and treatment regimes. Pathological processes are addressed on both a structural and functional level. Sufficient review of basic scientific foundations is included to promote their application to pathophysiologic concepts. Special emphasis is placed on cellular and subcellular mechanisms which have broad applicability to pathophysiology of all organ systems, and specific organ systems including hematologic, cardiovascular and respiratory. Pediatric and aging concepts are also considered. Pharmacology will be introduced and drugs will subsequently be classified according to their approved therapeutic uses. Tutorial group sessions will be used for problem-based learning. This will include the use of acquired knowledge and skills to recognize, develop and demonstrate qualities required to assume the role of a health care provider, including responsibility to a team as well as communication and leadership skills, and to effectively promote the learning process.

Kinesiology is a foundation course that examines and analyzes human motion. Basic principles of osteokinematics, arthrokinematics, kinetics, levers, and moments are covered. Muscle mechanics and neural control of muscles and joints are also introduced. All joints of the extremities and the spine are then discussed with application of these principles. The concepts of joint dysfunction and muscle imbalance as related to clinical evaluation and treatment are introduced.

This course is the second in a two-course sequence that studies human physiologic functions in disease. It examines the etiology, morphology and pathogenesis of human disease with correlations to clinical manifestations and treatment regimes. Pathological processes are addressed on both a structural and functional level. Sufficient review of basic scientific foundations is included to promote their application to pathophysiologic concepts. Special emphasis is placed on specific organ systems including integumentary, musculoskeletal, neurologic, endocrine, renal/urologic, and digestive. Pediatric and aging concepts are also considered. Pharmacology relevant to these systems will be discussed and drugs will subsequently be classified according to their approved therapeutic uses.

Management of Pediatric Disorders is the first course in a three-semester sequence addressing evaluation and treatment of clients with primary neurological diagnoses. Other common pediatric diagnoses managed by physical therapy will also be discussed. Students are provided opportunity to expand clinical decision-making skills within the context of physical therapy management of children with congenital and acquired impairments. The psychosocial aspects of disability will be addressed as they relate to the management of client support systems, environmental modification, and community integration/reintegration.

This is the first full-time clinical experience for students to practice clinical decision making in the clinical environment. This course expands upon the clinical decision making skills introduced in the academic setting. The teaching model for this experience is a structured model in which one or more students is paired with a Clinical Instructor.

The Community Clinic course will provide the student with opportunities to integrate current professional and personal knowledge, attitudes, and skills into service activities performed in pro bono clinic settings and inter-professional learning activities. The provision of physical therapy services will focus on positively impacting the health and wellness of defined community populations. This course will occur in the Physical Therapy curriculum beginning in the summer of year two. This course provides students the opportunity to practice the thought process used by physical therapists in making clinical decisions for patient care. Students will gain additional experience with patient examination with an emphasis on the subjective interview, evaluating examination data, developing a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and documenting findings within an electronic documentation system.

Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders I develops the skills required to perform a musculoskeletal examination/evaluation, determine the movement dysfunction and formulate, implement and modify a treatment intervention plan for the lumbar spine, pelvis and lower extremities. The second semester of the sequence emphasizes examination techniques, soft tissue mobilization and exercise progression. The principles of examination/evaluation, systems review (medical screening), and the theories and techniques of mobilization and massage will be incorporated into examination/evaluation and treatment intervention for the lumbar spine, pelvis and lower extremity dysfunction. The student is expected to apply previous knowledge and skills. Each student will also be responsible for performing manual muscle testing and goniometry to the spine and extremities. A component of the course involves examination, evaluation and intervention of clients with lower quadrant musculoskeletal problems.

Cardiopulmonary Systems/Acute Care will address the physiology of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems in healthy and diseased states. Students will learn to evaluate and design appropriate treatment regimes that relate to improving a client's physical well-being. These regimes will cover the spectrum of rehabilitation from the acute care team approach to long-term fitness management.

This course provides students with opportunities to integrate current professional and personal knowledge, attitudes, and skills into service activities performed in pro bono clinic settings and inter-professional learning activities. The provision of rehabilitation services will focus on positively impacting health and wellness of defined community populations. This course will occur in the fall semester of year two in sequence with other Community Clinic courses. This course continues to emphasize the clinical decision-making thought process with additional focus on clinical reasoning to identify health conditions outside of physical therapy scope of practice. Students should also begin recognizing when referral to another health care provider is necessary.

Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders II develops the skills required to perform a musculoskeletal examination/evaluation, determine the movement dysfunction and formulate, implement and modify an intervention plan. The second semester of the sequence utilizes the principles of examination/evaluation, systems review (medical screening), and the theories and techniques of mobilization and massage which are incorporated into examination and intervention of the temporomandibular joint, cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. You will be responsible for the previous knowledge of muscle innervations, origins and insertions, and components of a neurologic examination. You will also be responsible for performing manual muscle testing and goniometry to the spine and extremities. A component of the course involves examination, evaluation and intervention of clients with upper quadrant musculoskeletal problems.

This course provides students with the basic concepts and principals that guide the development of comprehensive physical therapy patient/client management/population health. The course emphasizes adaptations brought on by acute and chronic exercise in both normal and abnormal physiological systems. Students will apply these foundational concepts to develop programs of health promotion, prevention and wellness in a culturally competent manner to defined population groups. Opportunities for students to incorporate evidence-based practice, educate community groups, demonstrate professional behaviors, and participate in advocacy activities will be made available throughout the course.

The Community Clinic course will provide the student with opportunities to integrate current professional and personal knowledge, attitudes, and skills into service activities performed in various pro bono clinic settings and inter-professional learning activities. The provision of service will focus on the health and wellness of defined community populations. Sections of the course will occur in the spring semester of year two in the physical therapy curriculum. This course emphasizes the clinical decision-making thought process to include the identification of health conditions outside the physical therapy scope of practice or referring clients to other health care providers. Students in this course more closely model what is expected for an entry-level practicing physical therapist.

This full-time clinical experience allows students to expand their clinical decision making in the clinical environment. This course integrates academic coursework related to the rehabilitation of individuals with movement impairments and dysfunction. The teaching model for this experience is a structured model in which one or more students are paired with a Clinical Instructor.

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop skills that are fundamental to making informed clinical decisions based upon the best available evidence. Students will learn the steps involved in making evidence-based decisions, use multiple resources to acquire published evidence, and develop the ability to understand basic statistics reported in the literature. Students will learn to make specific measurements germane to the practice of physical therapy and will understand concepts of reliability and validity as they apply to these measures. In addition, students will develop a searchable foreground question, acquire evidence to answer it, appraise the evidence, and articulate the answer to the question contrasting the relative strengths and limitations of the available evidence.

Clinical Human Anatomy provides a comprehensive examination of the anatomy of the human body in preparation for the study of injuries and diseases commonly encountered in clinical practice. This course includes an emphasis on the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and peripheral nervous systems; with additional consideration given to the study of tissues and organ systems. The laboratory portion of the course includes supervised cadaveric dissection and/or examination of prosected human cadavers. Course Prerequisites: Matriculation in the CUW Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, or consent of instructor.

Pathophysiology is the study of human physiologic function in disease. It examines the etiology, morphology and pathogenesis of human disease with correlations to clinical manifestations and treatment regimes. Pathological processes are addressed on both a structural and functional level. Sufficient review of basic scientific foundations is included to promote their application to pathophysiologic concepts. Special emphasis is placed on cellular and subcellular mechanisms which have broad applicability to pathophysiology of all organ systems, and specific organ systems including hematologic, cardiovascular and respiratory. Pediatric and aging concepts are also considered. Pharmacology will be introduced and drugs will subsequently be classified according to their approved therapeutic uses. Tutorial group sessions will be used for problem-based learning. This will include the use of acquired knowledge and skills to recognize, develop and demonstrate qualities required to assume the role of a health care provider, including responsibility to a team as well as communication and leadership skills, and to effectively promote the learning process.

Kinesiology is a foundation course that examines and analyzes human motion. Basic principles of osteokinematics, arthrokinematics, kinetics, levers, and moments are covered. Muscle mechanics and neural control of muscles and joints are also introduced. All joints of the extremities and the spine are then discussed with application of these principles. The concepts of joint dysfunction and muscle imbalance as related to clinical evaluation and treatment are introduced.

This course is the second in a two-course sequence that studies human physiologic functions in disease. It examines the etiology, morphology and pathogenesis of human disease with correlations to clinical manifestations and treatment regimes. Pathological processes are addressed on both a structural and functional level. Sufficient review of basic scientific foundations is included to promote their application to pathophysiologic concepts. Special emphasis is placed on specific organ systems including integumentary, musculoskeletal, neurologic, endocrine, renal/urologic, and digestive. Pediatric and aging concepts are also considered. Pharmacology relevant to these systems will be discussed and drugs will subsequently be classified according to their approved therapeutic uses.

Management of Pediatric Disorders is the first course in a three-semester sequence addressing evaluation and treatment of clients with primary neurological diagnoses. Other common pediatric diagnoses managed by physical therapy will also be discussed. Students are provided opportunity to expand clinical decision-making skills within the context of physical therapy management of children with congenital and acquired impairments. The psychosocial aspects of disability will be addressed as they relate to the management of client support systems, environmental modification, and community integration/reintegration.

This is the first full-time clinical experience for students to practice clinical decision making in the clinical environment. This course expands upon the clinical decision making skills introduced in the academic setting. The teaching model for this experience is a structured model in which one or more students is paired with a Clinical Instructor.

Integumentary Therapeutics presents concepts and skills essential to physical therapist management of patients with integumentary system disorders and other clinical conditions amenable to biophysical agents. The anatomy and physiology of normal, abnormal, and aging tissue healing will be reviewed, with an emphasis on the skin. Students will apply content knowledge and skills to components of the patient/client management process related to pain, inflammation, edema/lymphedema, delayed tissue healing, seating and positioning, and common wound etiologies. Lab components will include hands-on practice of integumentary interventions, physical agents (e.g., traction), and electrotherapeutic agents (e.g., TENS) culminating in a lab practical. Additional in-class components in this course may include discussion, cases, and other active learning opportunities to supplement online lecture content.

Management of Neuromuscular Disorders I will introduce students to the basic concepts of neuro rehab that are not specific to specific medical diagnoses. This course will include the neuro exam, introduction to basic techniques like neural facilitation and inhibition, and common tests, measures, and interventions for postural control, reach and grasp, and mobility. Movement system diagnoses will be included and applied to cases.

Movement Analysis II provides students with fundamental knowledge and skill required to understand and perform functional, biomechanical, and observational analysis of pathological human movement. The course develops student skill in observational analysis, integration of data into a physical therapy evaluation, and performing ergonomic assessments, and provides an understanding of the principles, prescription, and management of individuals requiring a UE or LE orthoses and prosthesis.

Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders II develops the skills required to perform a musculoskeletal examination/evaluation, determine the movement dysfunction and formulate, implement and modify an intervention plan. The second semester of the sequence utilizes the principles of examination/evaluation, systems review (medical screening), and the theories and techniques of mobilization and massage which are incorporated into examination and intervention of the temporomandibular joint, cervical and thoracic spine, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. You will be responsible for the previous knowledge of muscle innervations, origins and insertions, and components of a neurologic examination. You will also be responsible for performing manual muscle testing and goniometry to the spine and extremities. A component of the course involves examination, evaluation and intervention of clients with upper quadrant musculoskeletal problems.

This course provides students with the basic concepts and principals that guide the development of comprehensive physical therapy patient/client management/population health. The course emphasizes adaptations brought on by acute and chronic exercise in both normal and abnormal physiological systems. Students will apply these foundational concepts to develop programs of health promotion, prevention and wellness in a culturally competent manner to defined population groups. Opportunities for students to incorporate evidence-based practice, educate community groups, demonstrate professional behaviors, and participate in advocacy activities will be made available throughout the course.

This course is a comprehensive review of content related to the Physical Therapy Licensing Examination and is designed to prepare the student physical therapist for the examination. Various physical therapy topics will be reviewed based on the distribution of topics on the licensing examination and needs of each cohort. Students will be assessed on content areas in a manor that simulates board examination questions.

This full-time clinical experience involves two, 8-week clinical education experiences or one, 16-week experience. The experience occurs after all didactic coursework is complete and provides summative clinical practice opportunities for the students. The teaching model for this experience is a structured model in which one or more students is paired with a Clinical Instructor.