Physical Therapy Case Study

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Physical therapists may apply to and complete a clinical residency program after graduation. Residencies typically last about 1 year and provide additional training and experience in specialty areas of care. Therapists who have completed a residency program may choose to specialize further by completing a fellowship in an advanced clinical

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

My shadowing experience this summer has taught me so many new things about physical therapy. It has allowed me to observe the practice and make sense of the new information I have learned. Although therapy has not changed, the lenses through which I view it have. I no longer see a patient performing arbitrary exercises, I see muscles moving in specific patterns. I no longer see a passive stretch being performed, I see soft tissues, ligaments, and capsules being mobilized. I no longer see a diagnosis that receives that same treatment, I see a person that is struggling with an issue and passionate people willing to help through genuine care. I Had my first observation at The Medical Arts Research Center(MARC), an outpatient physical therapy facility in San Antonio. There, I observed 9 patients with musculoskeletal conditions. These included 8 adults and 1 pediatric. The second clinic was Peak Physical Therapy, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Wylie, Texas. There I saw 8 patients with musculoskeletal conditions including 6 adults and 2 pediatric. During these observations, I saw many components of physical therapy practice. The last place I shadowed was Warm Springs Rehab Hospital of San Antonio. I observed in the post-acute medical facility in which we saw 7 patients with neuromuscular conditions, including 5 adults and 2 pediatric.

Colleges with a medical department often have a master’s program for physical therapy. (“Physical Therapists”) Physical therapy students have a required amount of field work in order to complete a program. Each candidate must work in an accredited workplace for the field work assignments. This part of the program is extremely valuable and helpful for a new therapist entering the field. Working one on one can be difficult even with all of the educational tools. (Curtis 37)

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.

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

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

The scope of practice in the physical therapy profession is always changing and growing with new evidence, education, and social needs. The scope of practice is made up of three parts, professional, jurisdictional, and personal. The professional scope of practice is found upon the understanding, educational training, and evidence emerging from the therapy practice. The jurisdictional scope of practice is based on the particular state’s licensure procedures and policy. The personal scope of practice consists of the activities the therapist is familiar with and where they were trained to perform these activities expertly. (The Physical Therapist Scope of Practice.

Imagine that you have torn your ACL, or your anterior crucial element ligament. An athletic trainer will help you until a doctor can be seen for X-rays. A surgeon will repair the injury. An anesthesiologist will keep you pain free throughout a procedure. After this, somebody is needed to assist in improving movement. That is what a physical therapist is for. Physical therapists, or PTs, are a crucial part of rehabilitation, treatment and prevention for patients with physical ailments. Individualized programs are developed by PTs that may follow a doctor’s referral, as well as a patient’s concerns and physical evaluation. Treatment plans can be made for individuals with sprained ankles to arthritis to neurological disorders. Physical therapy varies from patient to patient, as no two injuries are exactly the same, but the goal is always the same: a completely recovered patient.

The APTA and the NATA acknowledge that physical therapists and athletic trainers are health care professionals authorized to provide interventions within their scope of practice as defined by applicable state law and, within that scope, to the extent of their individual educational/training competencies. The scopes of practice of the two professions overlap to some extent. The education, qualifications and training of the two professions are different. The patients and conditions treated and interventions performed by PTS and ATS are often different. The professional education of both physical therapists and athletic trainers calls for competence in some forms of manual therapy, on which physical therapists and athletic trainers are tested

Many specialty areas in healthcare are rapidly changing as all are subject to the impact of disruptive technology and the continuous increase in the knowledge base. The physical therapy profession is, as with other health and medical specialty areas, concerned with currency in the education and training of certified specialists. In fact, many institutions, organizations, and companies insist that physical therapists in their employee pool regularly earn continuing education credits (CEC) to ensure that they keep up to date on changes in their fields.

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

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.