PTA 256 Physical Rehabilitation IV

4 credits

PTA skills for working with patients with complex conditions including patients with spinal cord injuries and patients post amputation. Course also covers psychosocial aspects of patient care encountered when working as a PTA.

Psychosocial aspects of care includes topics of chronic pain, grief, depression, and other mental health conditions commonly encountered in physical therapy.

Prerequisites: PTA 190 , PTA 215 , and PTA 255

Corequisites: PTA 235 , PTA 280 , and PTA 290

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Discuss the role of the PTA in working with patient with complex conditions
Identify the common causes of spinal cord injury
Describe the clinical presentation following damage to the spinal cord
Discuss the impact of complications associated with spinal cord injury
Take appropriate action as a PTA to respond to emergency situations related to spinal cord injury such as autonomic dysreflexia
Identify the typical functional outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury at various lesion levels
Relate new technology and treatments related to spinal cord injury
Safely, effectively, and efficiently implement selected physical therapy interventions and data collection techniques within the PT’s plan of care for a patient post spinal cord injury
Identify the common causes of lower extremity amputation
List and describe the types of postsurgical dressings used post amputation
List the phases of care and related prosthetics post amputation
Safely, effectively, and efficiently implement selected physical therapy interventions and data collection techniques within the PT’s plan of care for a patient post amputation
Discuss the psychosocial factors that influence rehabilitation
Identify the various professionals who may be involved in evaluation and interventions for patients with psychosocial issues
Recognize the warning signs of possible post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychosocial crisis points or dangerous behaviors
Describe possible actions to take as a PTA when encountering a patient who is demonstrating behaviors dangerous to the patient or to others
Broadly describe the grief process and the implications of the interaction of the grief process with physical therapy treatment
List defense mechanisms which are common reactions to disability
Identify methods to help patients manage anxiety and/or depression during physical therapy sessions which are within the scope of work of the physical therapist and physical therapist assistant
Implement relaxation interventions within the PT plan of care
Compare and contrast the presentation of acute, persistent, and chronic pain
List causes and risk factors for chronic pain
Identify the psychosocial factors associated with chronic pain
Summarize medical management options for chronic pain
Discuss complementary and alternative medicine approaches to managing chronic pain
Describe physical therapy intervention approaches appropriate for individuals with chronic pain