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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

Physical Therapy Interventions 1

Introduces medical terminology, common pathologies, abbreviations, and documentation pertinent to the role of the physical therapist assistant. Develops skills for fundamental physical therapy treatments. Includes draping and positioning of patients, transferring and lifting of patients, palpation of anatomical landmarks, goniometry, massage, gait training with assistive devices, and utilization of selected thermal agents. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the PTA program. Corequisites: PTA 106 and PTA LB1.

Subject Code: PTA

Course Number: 101

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours 3

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify in writing at least 100 prefixes, word roots, and suffixes used in medical terminology.
2. Interpret correctly at least 75 abbreviations used in medical records.
3. Produce accurate medical documentation in various formats commonly utilized in current practice, which may include proper formatting, appropriate detailed content, and utilization of proper terminology.
4. Practice effective strategies in defensive documentation utilizing key principles related to this technique.
5. Describe the benefits and risks associated with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) technology.
6. Document physical therapy (PT) interventions accurately utilizing the Subjective/Objective/Assessment/Plan (S.O.A.P.) format.
7. Demonstrate proper techniques in patient handling, which may include transfers, lifts, positioning, and wheelchair management.
8. Perform a variety of measurements, including goniometric, limb length, and girth measurements.
9. Interpret a variety of measurements, including goniometric, limb length, and girth measurements, for the purposes of implementing appropriate PT interventions.
10. Describe normal joint range of motion involving normal and abnormal end feels and motion quality.
11. Discuss causes with associated impacts of at least 30 common pathologies encountered in physical therapy.
12. Instruct surrogate patients in safe ambulation with appropriate assistive devices at all levels of assistance.
13. Demonstrate proper application of therapeutic modalities, which may include thermal agents and massage.
14. Identify indications and contraindications for the use of massage in various physical therapy settings.
15. Identify indications and contraindications to the use of heat as a PT modality.
16. Describe methods of heat exchange and related physiological effects.
17. Describe electrical safety issues which might occur in a PT practice and associated best practices to ensure patient safety.
18. Identify indications and contraindications to the use of cryotherapy as a PT modality.
19. Describe physiologic effects of cold when used as a PT modality.

Effective Term: Fall 2020

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