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Clinical decision making and differential diagnosis (CDD501): Course contents (CDD501)

Rehabilitation is the act of restoring something to its original state, like the rehabilitation of the forest that had once been cleared for use as an amusement park. The noun rehabilitation comes from the Latin prefix re-, meaning “again” and habitare

Course description

The course will cover the principles and methods of clinical screening in physical therapy practice. A basic format for musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, Integumentary, and cardiopulmonary screening in physical therapy will be presented, with a focus on differential diagnosis within the scope of physical therapy practice, and incorporation of the roleof the physical therapist as it interfaces with the role of the physician. A clarification of red-flags that differentiate a systemic condition from a neuro-musculoskeletal condition will be a continuing theme throughout the course. Decision-making skills related to physical therapy will be emphasized through the use of patient case scenarios with a focus on when to treat, and when to refer. Strategies to effectively and appropriately communicate with health care colleagues and patients regarding medical diagnostic information and medical status will be introduced

Learning objectives

  1. Discuss the screening and differentiate the medical conditions
  2. Discuss clinical decision making in physical therapy.

Course contents

  1. Screening and interviewing, the pt. scope of practice: to refer or treat introduction to screening for referral in physical therapy
  2. Introduction to the interviewing process
  3. Overview of the physiology of pain and systemic causes of pain
  4. Physical assessment as a screening tool
  5. Screening for hematologic disease
  6. Screening for cardiovascular disease
  7. Screening for the effects of cardiovascular medications
  8. Screening for pulmonary disease
  9. Screening for gastrointestinal disease
  10. Screening for hepatic and biliary disease
  11. Screening for urogenital disease
  12. Screening for endocrine and metabolic disease
  13. Screening for immunologic disease
  14. Screening the head, neck, and back
  15. Screening the sacrum, sacroiliac, and pelvis
  16. Screening the lower quadrant: buttock, hip, groin, thigh, and leg
  17. Screening the chest, breasts, and ribs
  18. Screening the shoulder and upper extremity
  19. Clinical decision making (cdm)

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