PHT 1217 - Physical Therapy Principles and Procedures

Health Science Department

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

Requisites

Prerequisite PHT 1200 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite PHT 1200L with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite PHT 1121 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite PHT 1121L with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite BSC 2086 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite BSC 2086L with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite PHT 1217L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This is a course to introduce the principles of physical therapy (PT) treatment procedures and modalities used in patient care. Specialized vocabulary and selected medical-surgical conditions are presented.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. Upon completion of this course, the student will explain aspects of implementing selected components of interventions identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
    1. Identify general indications and contraindications and physiological effects of physical agents to include:
      1. Stretching, including the implementation of a home exercise program for self-care.
      2. Traction
      3. Compression
      4. Ultrasound
      5. Electrical Stimulation
      6. Diathermy
      7. Laser
      8. Biofeedback
    2. Select appropriate interventions and parameters, for interventions covered in this course, based upon a mock plan of care for musculoskeletal conditions, including herniated disc, lymphedema, muscle spasm, wound healing, muscle relaxation and pain.
  2. Upon completion of this course, the student will recognize the psychology of disability and its relationship to physical therapy management.
    1. Describe common psychological reactions to physical illness and disability.
    2. Identify strategies in responding to a patient exhibiting psychological maladjustment to physical illness and disability.
  3. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss selected pathologies that affect individuals across the lifespan and common physical therapy management of the impairments and activity limitations associated with those diseases and disorders. (including but not limited to these system disorders: endocrine and metabolic, gastrointestinal, reproductive, hematologic, renal and urologic, immune, integumentary)
    1. Describe the incidence, etiology, pathology, clinical picture, signs and symptoms, and prognosis of various system disorders, including musculoskeletal diseases and disorders commonly encountered in physical therapy.
    2. Describe typical physical therapy management for diseases and conditions covered in this course.
    3. Identify common medications, their effects, side effects and potential interactions with physical therapy interventions used in the management of diseases and conditions covered in this course.
    4. Identify common lab values, normal versus abnormal ranges, precautions and contraindications as these values relate to physical therapy interventions of diseases and conditions covered in this course.
    5. Educate others on a selected topic/pathology as it relates to physical therapy management.
    6. Describe the benefits of participating in professional and community organizations that provide opportunity for volunteerism, advocacy and leadership as it relates to selected topics/pathologies in physical therapy management discussed in this course.
  4. Upon completion of this course, the student will discuss the career development and lifelong learning opportunities, including the role of the physical therapist assistant in the clinical education of physical therapist assistant students.
    1. Identify where a physical therapist assistant can work.
    2. Describe the role of the physical therapist assistant in various settings and the possible career development opportunities, including being a clinical instructor.

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 10/20/88 Effective Session 19882 DBT 5/18/89 Effective Session 19891 3 YR C&I Review 1993-94 C&I 4/28/98; DBT 5/29/98 Effective Session 19981 C&I 10/9/01, BOT 11/20/01 Effect 20021 (Sess I, 2002) C&I 4/23/02, BOT 5/14/02, Eff 20021 C&I 10/25/05, BOT 11/15/05, Eff 20061(0370) C&I 11/10/08, BOT 12/16/08, Eff 20091(0415) C&I 6/23/09, BOT 7/21/09, Eff 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: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2016 (515). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2017 (525). 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)