PHT 1200 - Introduction to Basic Patient Care

Health Science Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Summer 2025 (650)

Requisites

Prerequisite PHI 1600 and
Prerequisite HSC 1531 and
Prerequisite computer competency met. and
Pre- or Co-requisite PHT 1200L

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the field of physical therapy including role orientation, professional organizational structure, modality principles used for basic patient care and disease processes. Role orientation, ethics, legal aspects, limitation and relationships will be explored relative to the physician, registered physical therapist and the patient.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss physical therapy professional organizations and regulating bodies in light of the policies, positions and regulatory statutes that guide the scope of physical therapy.
    1. Describe the organizational structure of the physical therapy professional organizations.
    2. Describe the purpose of American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Guide for Ethical Conduct of the PTA and Value Based Behaviors for the PTA.
    3. Describe the purpose of the Florida Physical Therapy Practice Act.
    4. Identify the components of the ICF Model.
    5. Describe the benefits of participating in professional and community organizations that provide opportunities for volunteerism, advocacy and leadership.
    6. Describe the structure, roles and responsibilities of all members of the physical therapy department.
  2. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss the application and effects of selected modalities commonly used in physical therapy.
    1. Identify appropriate interventions, as they relate to the stages of healing, based upon a mock plan of care established by the physical therapist. Interventions include:
      1. Cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, superficial thermal agents
      2. Application of Devices and Equipment: parallel bars, tilt table walkers, crutches, canes
    2. Recognize when an intervention should not be performed due to clinical indications or when the direction to perform the intervention is beyond which is appropriate for the physical therapist assistant. Interventions include:
      1. Cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, superficial thermal agents
      2. Application of Devices and Equipment: parallel bars, tilt table, walkers, crutches, canes
      3. Manual Therapy Techniques: passive range of motion and therapeutic massage
  3. Upon completion of this course, the student will describe the physiology and pathophysiology related to vital signs, inflammation and healing and pain.
    1. Distinguish between normal and abnormal vital signs, including levels of consciousness, given a simple scenario.
    2. Identify the phases of inflammation and healing.
    3. Identify components of pain. Components include:
      1. Mechanisms of pain reception and transmission
      2. Pain modulation and control
      3. Types of pain
      4. Assessing pain
      5. Pain management
  4. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss selected pathologies commonly seen in Physical Therapy.
    1. Describe clinical features, etiology, pathophysiology, and indications and contraindications for physical therapy for pathological conditions commonly seen in physical therapy. Conditions include:
      1. Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, Cerebral Vascular Accident, Spinal Cord Injuries, and impairments in the integumentary system.
  5. Upon completion of this course, the student will explain basic principles of range of motion exercises and therapeutic massage.
    1. Describe various strokes, and their effects, used in basic therapeutic massage.
    2. Discuss indications, contraindications and basic procedures for passive, active-assistive and active range of motion.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 78% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 8/15/83. Revised 8/84. Revised 7/85. DBT 12/12/85. Effective Session 19861. Revised 7/88 DBT 5/18/89 Effective Session 19891. 3 YR C&I Review 1993-94 DBT 10/18/94. Effective Session 19942. C&I 4/28/98; DBT 5/29/98, Effective Session 19981. C&I 10/9/01, BOT 11/20/01, Effective yrtr 20021. C&I 10/25/05, BOT 11/15/05, Effective 20061(0370) C&I 11/10/08, BOT 12/16/08, Effective 20091(0415). C&I 9/16/2011, BOT 10/2011, Effective 20112(0450). C&I Approval: 09/16/2011, BOT Approval: 10/01/2011, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450). C&I Approval: 11/20/2015, BOT Approval: 03/15/2016, Effective Term: Summer 2016 (515). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2018 (540). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2025 (650)

Related Programs

  1. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA-AS) (640) (Active)