Standard

R State Standard £ Institutionally Developed College: N/A

PTA 101 – Introduction to Physical Therapy
Course Description This course provides an explanation of the philosophy and history of the physical therapy profession and its relationship to other health care agencies and providers. Topics include: introduction to the American Physical Therapy Association; development of the American Physical Therapy Association; medicolegal aspects and professional ethics; and communication skills.
Competency Areas	Hours
Introduction to the American Physical Therapy Association	Class	2
Development of the American Physical Therapy Association	D. Lab	0
Medicolegal Aspects and Professional Ethics	P. Lab/O.B.I.	3
Communication Skills	Credit	3

Prerequisite:	Program admission
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will be able to:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
Introduction to the American Physical Therapy Association		5	0	0
APTA role and function	Discuss the role and function of the APTA in the physical therapist assistant profession.
Physical therapy profession	Explain the purpose, philosophy, and history of the physical therapy profession.
	Discuss the relationship between the physical therapy profession and other health care agencies and providers.
Development of the American Physical Therapy Association		5	0	0
History	Discuss the history of the APTA.
Structure	Discuss the structure of the APTA.
Medicolegal Aspects and Professional Ethics		10	0	5
Laws	Describe the Georgia laws governing the practice of physical therapy.
	Differentiate between statutes and ethics.
	Define tort law.
	Define negligence and malpractice.
	Explain the impact of malpractice and negligence relative to the physical therapy profession.
Ethics	Discuss the medicolegal issues and professional code of ethics regarding the physical therapy profession.
	List the Patient Bill of Rights, Code of Ethics, and Guide for Conduct of the affiliate member.
Responsibilities	Discuss the responsibilities of the physical therapist, the physical therapist assistant, and physical therapy aide
	Identify architectural barriers encountered in the wheelchair experience.
	Discuss modifications which would eliminate architectural barriers for wheelchair clients.
	Identify concerns of the elderly.
	Identify elements of death and dying.
Communication Skills		0	0	25
Therapeutic communications	Identify and role-play therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication techniques.
Stress management	Discuss elements and concerns of death and dying.
	Identify and practice stress management techniques.

Suggested Resources

Media (print/audio/ visual/www/ other)	Author	Year	Title: Subtitle	Edition	Location	Publisher/ Publication	pp.
Print	O’Sullivan, S. B. & Schmitz,, T. J.	2001	Physical rehabilitation: Assessment and treatment	4^th ed.	Philadelphia	F. A. Davis	1152
	Purtilo, R. & Haddad, A.	2007	Health professional and patient interaction	7^th ed.	Philadelphia	Saunders	384

Posted: 09/24/08