PTAP 220 - Contemporary Physical Therapy Practice

1 Credits:

Course Description
This course focuses largely on the topic of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).  Basic information about EBP will include principles, types and methods of clinical research, data collection and strength of evidence, statistical measures, plus the process of researching current evidence and interpreting the different types of clinical research. Additional content includes the examination of contemporary clinical and social issues within Physical Therapy.

Text
No text required.

Objectives
The student will be able to:

A.  State the purposes and benefits of evidence based practice.

B.  Delineate the steps involved in evidence based practice.

C.  Stratify the levels of quality of research.

D.  Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various levels of quality of research.

E.  Describe the processes of formulating a clinical question and performing an article search process.

F.  Recognize the various measures and statistics utilized in evidence based practice.

G.  Integrate research and statistical findings into the clinical decision-making process.

H.  Recognize the role of the PTA within healthcare community service and leadership activities.

I.  Explore contemporary social issues within the field of Physical Therapy.

Content
A.  Foundational principles of Evidence-Based Practice

B.  Types and methods of medical research

C.  Hierarchy of evidence

D.  Types and forms of data and data collection

E.  Common statistical measures in medical research

F.  The process of determining and finding specific current research evidence

G.  Analysis of findings from the different forms of medical research

H.  Community health professional development, service, and leadership

Student Evaluation
The student will be evaluated via written examinations and a research project.