PT 546: Clinical Education Seminar I

The complementary lab to BI 532. Designed for Doctor of Physical Therapy students to develop basic PT assessment skill with an introduction to observation, posture analysis, and surface palpation. Students will practice fundamental identification and palpation skills as part of their development of assessment and treatment proficiency. Students will identify and palpate skeletal muscles, bony landmarks, tendons, joint boundaries, ligaments and inert structures of the head, trunk and extremities as material is covered in a regional format. An introduction to the essential principles of therapeutic exercise, posture analysis and anthropometric testing to promote the enhancement of physical and functional abilities is also provided. Students will learn soft tissue mobilization techniques and the physiological effects, indications, contraindications and precautions associated with this treatment. Students will integrate their concurrent course work and utilize cases as they apply their knowledge to address clinical scenarios. Professional behaviors for clinical practice are also introduced.