PT 825 Contemporary Practice in Physical Therapy
This tutorial-based course focuses on the healthcare delivery system-the content in which practice exists, must function, and within which practice, goals, and objectives are established. Practice-based cases are used to develop an understanding of healthcare finance and financial decision-making (including an understanding of case-mix and cost-effectiveness issues), marketing, and capitation/contractual issues. Trends in healthcare and healthcare finance are examined in the context of understanding the role of the physical therapist as an advocate for the patient and the profession. The function of and considerations relative to the physical therapist as a consultant to other practices, healthcare providers, or a community are discussed. Practice-based tutorial cases are used to prepare students for role competence in practice implementation issues. Practice-based cases are used to develop an understanding of the role of standardized patient examination data and patient/practice documentation systems (including employee assessment tools) in examining practice outcomes, administrative issues such as scheduling (patient and personnel), and cost-effectiveness issues around equipment/supplies. The role of documentation systems in contributing to the body of knowledge of the profession and generating financial data is explored. Format: two three-hour tutorials, three large-group discussions (75 minutes) per week, and one two-hour seminar per week.