Physical Therapy Case Studies

My first experience observing a physical therapist, commenced in the summer of 2014. At the time, I was given the opportunity to observe a physical therapist named Jennifer Moreland. Throughout my time observing her, I began to recognize she was not just a physical therapist with her patients. Many times, she took on the role of a consoler, cheerleader, friend and supporter for her patients. Reflecting back on this, I am able to see that the primary reason she has succeeded as a physical therapist; is due to her amiable, encouraging and empathetic nature. These character traits have allowed her to do more than heal patients' musculoskeletal problems. She has also been able to heal hearts, souls and minds by cheering, supporting, listening

Ever since I was young my life goals were to help others when I grew up, however I wasn’t exactly sure how. Throughout the past couple years, with a wonderful support system; I have been able to make the decision about wanting to achieve the goal of becoming a physical therapist. It is my belief that I have a high spiritual calling to be a physical therapist, because I have the intention to be able to guide others. I gather that this can be spiritual, because helping others is what God’s intentions are, and would recommend others to follow in His footsteps. My mindset is indeed compassionate, empathetic, selfless, and strong with a thirst for knowledge. Being a physical therapist has many rewards such as happiness, equality, and a sense of accomplishment which can be very valuable and will affect my life in a positive manner.

OrthoOklahoma is an orthopedic medical clinic with a physical therapy branch that provides outpatient physical therapy care. The facility has a staff of three licensed physical therapists and a physical therapy assistant along with four physical therapy techs. I was able to observe all three physical therapists, Megan Ripley, Joe Ogle and Ken Roberts. At OrthoOklahoma, the most common patients are post-surgery from repairs of muscles, bones or joints. While shadowing these therapists, I observed cases of total knee replacement, total hip replacement, ACL/meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, frozen shoulder, labrum repair, and other ailments from wear-and-tear and aging. This experience allowed me to talk to physical therapists about the ins and outs of their job, learn about different exercises and routines for treatment of injuries, and really get an idea of the work it takes to become a well-respected physical therapist.

My first Physical therapy observation experience was at TIRR Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. The therapy done here were for inpatients who went through a brain or spinal cord injury. On my first day I did not know what I was going in for. I only thought that PT was about orthopedic rehabilitation but in reality there is therapy for everything.

In this case, although the error started from the transmission of the discharge note to the home health care agency, Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant made number of mistakes in terms of clinical practice and delegation. First of all, completion and accuracy of patient’s physical therapy record is a professional responsibility of a supervising Physical therapist.1(p4) However, the PT failed to read the hospital discharge referral and documented incomplete and inaccurate plan of care. As a result, important information such as un-cemented prosthesis in situ and weight bearing limitations were not documented. In addition to that PTA elected to follow a protocol for cemented hip arthroplasty without referring back to PT for the missing information in the assessment. According to Texas Board of Physical Therapy examiners rule, “PTA may not specify and/or perform definitive (decisive, conclusive, final) evaluative and assessment procedures.”1(p5) Hence, it was also a mistake of the PTA to conclude the assessment and elect the inappropriate plan of care.

The day-to-day writing in the field of Physical Therapy varies depending on the audience. The audience determines the purpose of the writing and writing style. Physical Therapists (PT) use evidence-based exercises and activities to rehabilitate their patients in order for them to reach their unique goal. Since PT’s work with both medical professionals and patients, they must adjust their writing to be able to communicate effectively. PT’s are just one of the many people in the medical field that may work with a particular patient so it is important that the communication between the different layers of the medical field are precise and clear. Writing to a patient is also important because they are the person who is being directly affected

What education and other professional skills are required for this job, as a Physical Therapy Assistant?

Predominantly, a physical therapist must be compassionate and caring. My family members and I are accustomed to taking care of one another, regardless of the age or circumstance. Along with these age differences come different opinions; because of this, at a very young age, I quickly understood the meaning of empathy. I have become accustomed to practicing compassion at home, that it has now become second nature to me.

Wee seek an outstanding PT to join our award-winning PT program. At Newport General Hospital, you will serve as a valued member OF A multidisciplinary tem. You will work with all types of patients under the supervision of a physical therapist. You assist and supervise patients in rehabilitative exercises. You will also provide heat, light, ultrasound, and massage treatments.

Congratulations on making it to week eight of PTA 324 Physical Therapy Across Practice Settings! We end this course with a look at professional development of the PTA. We will be discussing ideas for lifelong learning and maintaining clinical competence. By being in this course, you have already shown a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning. As we come to the end of this class, reflect on the self-directed learning that you have achieved and how your professional development has been affected by your research and the interactions with your classmates.

The statutes, rules, ethics guide, and policy statements are specific in informing physical therapist what is involved in the legal practice of physical therapy in Arizona (Arizona state board of physical therapy, n.d a.). The approval of licensure is different for a new graduate, a physical therapist with a license in another state, and a foreign educated therapist. In each of the categories, a person has to be of good moral character and complete the application process correctly. For a new graduate of an accredited institution in the United States, a passing score on the national exam in required. The minimal passing set by The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy is a scaled score of 600. When I took the boards in 1974, California

I have previously worked with physical therapists while I was a behavioral therapist at an autism clinic. Some of my patients required a multi-dimensional approach with many specialties including PT, OT, and SLP. Prior to this experience I assumed physical therapists had a very limited role in the health care setting. I thought their only focus was on the elderly and post-surgical patients, but then I realized it is a much broader specialty. Physical therapists can also specialize in neurological disorders, special needs children, and many other aspects of the patient’s overall health.

Corpus Christi Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is a full-service physical therapy clinic that is located in Corpus Christi, Texas. Corpus Christi Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine uses research-based concepts, training and techniques to bring their customers comprehensive and effective physical therapy treatments. Their patient, Paul Chapa had a very bad motorcycle accident. He said that their staff treated him like family. Paul Chapa also shared that they are very nice and very professional. Paul Chapa has come a long way compared from 3 months ago. One time his doctor even told him that he almost lost his leg. Now, he is up and walking. It may be still a long process but he knows that Lee Glover, the physical therapist and his staff

RW (not his real initials) was a 58-year-old man diagnosed with primary progressive MS five years prior self-referral to a physical therapy clinic. RW stated that he never recovered entirely after that preliminary attack and that even though he had experienced no other sudden decrements in function, he stated his transformation in capability as slow but steady. During preliminary examination, RW attained 6.5 on the Kurtz EDDS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), a ranking described as requiring “constant bilateral assistance (braces, canes, crutches) needed to walk twenty meters devoid of resting. He reported a strong commitment to exercise as well as had in recent times been instructed by his physician to indulge in a workout plan as a means

The human experience is not a vague suggestion of what everyone strives for. This is a very individualized set of preferences and priorities that each person desires in life. We are all unique beings and as a physical therapist, there is a duty to create a specific strategy of care that is centered on the needs of the consumer. Movement is the basis of everything we do. Optimizing movement by improving mobility and motion, managing pain, and regaining original capabilities will guide society to a healthier and more active lifestyle.