Course Syllabus
PTH 123B
Physical Agents Application
Fall 2015
Instructor:
Timothy Davis
tdavis@siu.edu
(618)453-8820
ASA 118A
Office Hours:
Monday
9:00am-10:00am
Tuesday
2:00pm-4:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am-10:00am, 1:00 p.m. -2:00p.m.
Thursday
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Also, a meeting can be arranged by appointment
Class Schedule:
Section 001 Monday
Section 002 Wednesday
11:00am-1:00pm
11:00am-1:00pm
Course Description:
Students will be able to safely and effectively apply massage and physical agent interventions
such as superficial and deep heat, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy and laser therapy.
Course Objectives:
1.
Prepare patients for interventions in supine, prone, and side-lying positions providing
proper draping, support, comfort, and good alignment.
2. Measure a classmate's response to heat or cold treatment by pre and post treatment
observation and measurement of: respiratory rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, color of body
part, palpated temperature of body part, local and/or general perspiration, skin turgor, and
capillary refill.
3. Provide adequate explanations to patients (student lab partner) prior to, during, and
following the application of the physical agent.
4. Correctly naming, describing, and preparing modality equipment and/or intervention which
in this course includes massage, conductive heat, hydrotherapy, fluidotherapy, ultrasound,
infrared, ultraviolet, diathermy, laser, and cryotherapy by:
a. identifying and correctly describing the modalities' characteristics, indications,
contraindications, precautions, safety considerations and safety requirements.
b. describing accurately the requirements, idiosyncrasies and contraindications of the
different body areas and medical conditions
c. preparing the treatment area for proper patient positioning and draping.
5.
Correctly and safely applying the intervention by:
a. identifying and manipulating all controls and switches
b. performing all operations in correct sequence
c. establishing, monitoring, and varying dosage according to patient tolerance and that
are appropriate to the modality, the patient's condition and treatment goals
d. describing and applying the safety and comfort rules
e. describing, applying and manipulating the time, distance, and intensity rules.
f. recognizing and responding to objective and/or subjective patient responses to
therapeutic heat and cold 100% of the time.
g. correctly implementing modification(s) of treatment plan.
6. Correctly problem solve when given a patient scenario.
7. Utilize time management skills during simulated patient scenarios.
Tentative Schedule
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Topic
Sterile technique and vital signs
Patient Positioning and hot packs
Hot packs and paraffin
Whirlpool and Fluidotherapy
Practical Exam
Massage
Massage Day
Ultrasound and Diathermy
Ultrasound and Diathermy
Cryotherapy
TBA
Laser
Practical Exam
Practical Makeup
Review and Practice
Final Practical
Final Exam will not be given in this class.
TEXTBOOK:
Required:
Cameron, C. Physical Agents in Rehabilitation: From Research to Practice. 4th ed. St.
Louis, MO: W.B. Saunders, 2012.