University of Montana - Rehab Essentials
Educating Health Professionals in a Cost-Effective Way
Course Description
Medical & Surgical Procedures Across the Lifespan
Purpose of the Course
Using progressively complex cases across the lifespan, students apply clinical reasoning to common, highly complex medical and surgical conditions. Students investigate community resources designed to support the management of complex cases at home or in residential living centers across the lifespan and diagnostic conditions. Related surgical management, discharge planning, and discontinuation of PT services are discussed. Patient management of these medical/surgical conditions are explored across acute, sub-acute, and chronic stages of injury, surgery and healing. Lifespan perspectives unique to management of pediatric and geriatric patients are also presented.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
- Compare and contrast the types of patient conditions and healthcare environments in which PTs work with medically complex patients.
- Describe common medical and surgical management of patients with common cardiovascular and pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders.
- Given the lab values and diagnostic findings from a medically complex patient, relate the findings to body systems and determine any precautions/contraindications related to physical therapy.
- Safely manage the lines, leads, tubes, monitoring and life support equipment of a medically complex patient during in-patient management.
- Select tests and outcome measures validated to examine or reevaluate medically complex patients.
- Recognize contraindications of exercise in patients with common medical and surgical conditions and indications to terminate activity/exercise.
- Identify physical therapy clinical practice guidelines and discharge planning related to selected medical and surgical conditions.