Physical Agents Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

PTHA-1431-001 Physical Agents

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: PTHA 1229, PTHA 1413 and BIOL 2402

Course Description

Biophysical principles, physiological effects, efficacy and application of physical agents.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

REQUIRED TEXTS: Physical Agents in Rehabilitation: From Research to Practice

by Michelle H. Cameron, 4th. ed.

Manual for Physical Agents by Karen W. Hayes, 6^th ed

Supplies

\ Lab supplies: electrodes for use with e-stim units, procedural towels.

Student Performance

Course Objectives:

General Considerations for Physical Agents

1. Utilize correct medical terminology and abbreviations
2. Using patient-centered terminology, explain the rationale for selected interventions
3. Demonstrate appropriate teaching strategies for patient-centered instruction regarding disease/condition, treatment interventions, and HEP in a role-play situation
4. Apply the laws and regulations governing physical therapy practice to course-related skills.
5. After reading the plan of care, the student will be able to implement treatments using physical agent modalities.
6. Apply current knowledge, theory, and clinical judgment while considering appropriate physical agents for a patient, based on the plan of care established by the physical therapist.
7. Integrate appropriate evidence based resources to support clinical decision making for modality choices for the patient within the plan of care.
8. Develop a treatment intervention supported by at least one peer-reviewed research article that is consistent with the plan of care for a given case example.
9. Present patient education prior to implementation of physical agent modalities. 
10. Identify indications and contraindications with all physical agent modalities prior to implementation.
11. Identify normal and abnormal integumentary changes associated with physical agents.
12. Assess patient for absent or altered sensation before applying physical agent modalities.
13. Demonstrate proper draping techniques to enhance patient privacy.
14. Recognize activities that aggravate or relieve edema, pain, dyspnea, or other symptoms (ventilation, respiration, and circulation examination)
15. Recognize when intervention should not be provided due to changes in the patient’s status
16. Recognizes when the direction to perform an intervention is beyond that which is appropriate for a physical therapist assistant
17. List indications and contraindications for interventions
18. List the precautions and safety considerations for interventions
19. Describe the expected outcomes for a given intervention
20. Demonstrate competence in the application of procedural interventions
21. Assess patient for absent or altered sensation before applying physical agent modalities

Postural Drainage

22. Describe the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications for postural drainage.
23. Demonstrate the various techniques used in postural drainage.
24. Identify breathing exercises and coughing techniques to assist patient with postural drainage.
25. Recognize cough and sputum characteristics.

Inflammation, Pain, and Motion Restriction

26. Explain the phases of inflammation and healing for various musculoskeletal tissues.
27. Identify causes of chronic inflammation.
28. Recognize factors that affect the healing process.
29. Identify the mechanisms of pain reception and transmission, including the various theories.
30. Describe the types of pain and their causes.
31. Discuss pain management with physical agents, exercise, and pharmacological approach.
32. Identify tissues and patterns that can cause motion restriction.
33. Recognize activities, positioning, and postures that aggravate or relieve pain or alter sensations.

Massage

34. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of therapeutic massage.
35. Demonstrate therapeutic massage and the various techniques associated with massage.
36. Define myofacial release and when this technique is used.

Thermal Agents

37. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of cryotherapy.
38. Recognize various forms of cryotherapy including: cold/ice packs, ice massage, cold compression unit, and vapocoolant spray
39. Demonstrate the use of each cryotherapy agent with proper education to the patient.
40. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of superficial heat.
41. Demonstrate the use of hot packs and parrafin with proper education to the patient.

Ultrasound

42. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of ultrasound
43. Differentiate between thermal and non-thermal effects of ultrasound
44. Demonstrate appropriate application of thermal and non-thermal ultrasound with correct selection of parameters.

Electrical stimulation

45. Apply the basic mechanical principles of electricity, including electronic circuitry, magnets, electric charges, and static electricity to therapeutic interventions.
46.  Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of electrical stimulation.
47. Discuss the methods in which e-stim is transmitted through the skin and appropriate parameters.
48. Explain the multiple uses for electrical stimulation including
49. Demonstrate the application technique for each of the following types of e-stim: iontophoresis, TENS, NMES, Russian, HiVolt, and IFC
50. Demonstrate the use of ultrasound/e-stim combination and describe when this would be an appropriate treatment
51. Utilize evidence based resources in creating a presentation to compare and contrast various physical agent modalities associated with e-stim.

Traction

52. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of traction
53. Describe the types of traction and their specific uses in the clinic setting.
54. Demonstrate the techniques used for application of cervical and lumbar traction.

Hydrotherapy

55. Apply the basic principles of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure to therapeutic interventions.

56. Describe the physical properties of water and their relationship to hydrotherapy.
57. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of hydrotherapy.
58. Identify the various application techniques of hydrotherapy including: whirlpool, Hubbard tank, exercise pool, and non-immersion irrigation devices
59. Design an exercise program for general strengthening to be demonstrated in an exercise pool.

Diathermy, UV, Infrared

60. Identify the physiological effects, indications, and contraindications of diathermy, UV, and infrared.
61. Recognize the different forms of diathermy units and if the unit is superficial or deep heating.
62. Describe the technique used to determine patient sensitivity to ultraviolet. 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students demonstrating academic dishonesty as defined in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” handout will receive a grade of “F” in the course and will be subject to all PTA program policies regarding course failure.  CUEING ANOTHER PERSON DURING AN EXAM, APPLICATION, OR SKILLS CHECK-OFF WILL BE CONSIDERED CHEATING.

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\ STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: A student who has a problem with the course or course instructor should make every attempt to resolve the problem with the course instructor.  If that is not successful, the student may appeal the decision of the instructor to the program director, divison chairman of Health Sciences, dean of instruction, and the president – IN THAT ORDER.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria
Homework	5%
Quizzes/Quick Checks*	5%
Practicals(2)*	15%
Exams(3)*	30%
**Skill Application*	15%
Final*	30%

The lowest skills check/quiz grade will be dropped from final grade.

If the midterm grade is failing as indicated by the grade report, the student must contact the course instructor to schedule a planning meeting. At this meeting, the student will be expected to develop an action plan for successful completion of the course. This action plan should include a 1)detailed study schedule,2)should identify any areas of weakness in understanding course content, and 3)must include methods/strategies that will be used to correct the learning deficit. Failure to meet with the instructor or to complete the action plan will result in a 10 point deduction from the final grade.

THE INSTRUCTOR WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMINDING STUDENTS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO COMPLETE THIS REMEDIATION PROCESS. THE INSTRUCTOR WILL TREAT STUDENTS AS ADULTS AND WILL THEREFORE EXPECT THE STUDENT TO APPROACH THE INSTRUCTOR TO DISCUSS ANY CLARIFICATION OF THESE GUIDELINES.

Exams/application exams will be available for review for one week following the return of the graded exam/application. The exam/application will be kept in the instructors office; each student will need to set up an individual time to review the materials.

Students are responsible for correctly completing their scantron forms. Once the scantron is turned into the instructor, no changes will be allowed on the scantron. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to carefully imprint your responses.

** Students who do not meet minimum proficiencies during the skills application/skills quick checks will be required to re-test until proficiencies are met before the course is completed.  The first test grade the student attains is the recorded grade.

MAKE UP POLICY: There will be NO make-ups on quizzes or skills quick checks. Absence of a exam/application exam/skills application reulsts in a five-point deduction from the earned grade. All absences will be treated equally, regardless of the reason. The make-up exam or make-up application exam will vary in format from the original examination/application. The student should expect to take the make-up exam/application on the day the student returns to class, unless otherwise notified by the instructor.

Grading Scale
100-92.5	A
92.4-83.5	B
83.4-74.5	C
74.4-0	F

Note: A grade of C or better is required to complete the PTA major.

 

 

Attendance

ATTENDANCE: “Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.”  Therefore, students enrolled in the PTA program are expected to attend all lectures, labs, and clinical experiences, and will be held accountable for obtaining all information presented during these times. Attendance is required for successful completion of all lectures and labs in the Physical Therapist Assistant program.  At the beginning of each lecture and lab, students will be expected to sign the roster provided by the course instructor.  Even if a student is present in class and seen by the instructor, failure to sign in will result in the student being marked absent for attendance purposes.  If a student signs in another student, both students will be counted absent.  Each student will be allowed two absences per lecture/lab course in the PTA Program.  After the second absence a penalty of five points will be deducted from the student’s final exam grade for each subsequent absence. A student will be considered “tardy” if he/she arrives to class 1-10 minutes late or leaves before the instructor dismisses the class.  Two “tardies” will be considered one absence. Students arriving to class after 10 minutes will not be permitted to enter the lecture or lab until the next course begins.  Exceptions to this policy will only be made under extenuating circumstances and only if the course instructor receives the appropriate written documentation to support the event within 5 days of the absence.

While in attendance of each lecture class and lab, cell phones are to be turned off (during lab cell phones are to placed in the locker area), unless otherwise permitted by the instructor.

Calendar

Additional Information

Physical Agents is taught by an instructor of the Physical Therapist Assistant Department

USE OF CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES (I-PODS, MP 3 PLAYERS, ETC.): The use of a cell phone/electronic device(s) will not be permitted during lecture/lab or testing/application exams. This includes the ability to send and receive text messages. Cell phones/electronic device(s) should be turned off and put away during these times. If it is necessary to receive a call during lecture/lab times, prior arrangements with the instructor are required. At no time will the cell phone/electronic device(s) be permitted during testing/application exams.

ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments are due AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TIME on the assigned due date.  NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.

REQUIRED READING: The student is expected to complete all reading assignments. All assigned material is considered testable information, however may not be covered during lecture, therefore it is the student’s responsibility to discuss (at an appropriate time) with course instructor clarification of material as needed.

LAB DRESS CODE: Appropriate dress is required during scheduled lab times.

Females: shorts, halter or swimsuit top (fasteners need to be in the back), lab coats or sweat suits for a cover-up

Males: shorts, tee shirts, lab coats or sweat suits for a cover-up.

For successful completion of PTHA 1431 the following is required by each student: passing minimum average of all quizzes/skills check, exams, practicals, skills application exam; submitting all homework assignments.

Instructional aids: use of equipment, handouts, electonic media

Instructional methods: lecture and lab, demonstration and return demonstration

SAFETY PROCEDURES: In case of an emergency, the student needs to call the Safety and Security department at 9-371-5163.  In an emergency situation, use the nearest phone that is available.  The student should also know in case of a medical emergency, the following procedure should be performed and in the order written:

1. call 9-911 for an ambulance
2. call safety and security

Amarillo College Resources link:http://www.actx.edu/resources/

PHYSICAL RESTRICTIONS: The activities presented in this course may have physical restrictions.  It is the responsibility of the student to let the instructor know if any of these restrictions apply to you.  .

If you have:

Cardiac problems, high blood pressure– do not have cryotherapy performed on you

Cardiac pacemaker – do not have any diathermy or e-stim performed on you

Metal implants– do not have diathermy performed on you

Pregnancy– do not have any modalities performed over the trunk area.  If you have maternal heart disease, hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes, you are not to have modalities performed on you.

Thermoregulatory problems– clothing may need to be adjusted to accommodate the temperature of the environment.  Do not have cryotherapy or diathermy performed on you.

Peripheral Vascular Disease– do not have any heating modalities performed on you

Diabetes/hypoglycemia– bring medication and snacks as needed

Decreased sensation– do not have any modalities performed over the area of sensory loss

Latex sensitivity– latex gloves during sterile techniques are to be avoided.  Notify the instructor by the 3^rd day of classes so that alternative gloves can be provided

 

THE LEAD INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE SYLLABUS AS NEEDED DURING THE SEMESTER.  ANY MODIFICATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS.