PT 621 Examination & Documentation I
This course presents conceptual models for clinical decision-making and expert practice for patients presenting with musculoskeletal dysfunction. Students are introduced to psychosocial, psychomotor, and communication aspects of interacting with patients and their families. Using tutorial-based cases, basic concepts in patient data collection from the patient interview to clinical tests and measurements of the musculoskeletal system are presented, including assessment of range of motion, joint integrity and mobility, pain, basic muscle performance, posture, body mechanics, and observational gait analysis. Students are introduced to the concepts of evidence-based practice, with emphasis on principles necessary to understanding patient impairment, functional outcome and disability data, measurement characteristics of and rationale for choices among available tests and measures, and strengths and limitations of using data to draw conclusions about individual patients or patient groups. Parameters of patient documentation as a data management tool and form of professional communication are initiated. Format: two 2.5-hour laboratories and one large-group discussion (75 minutes) per week.