Syllabus 780_2012
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St. Ambrose University
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
DPT 780 Generic Syllabus
Spring
Introduction: This syllabus describes the format for the clinical experience for the third-year
DPT student participating in Clinical Education (DPT 780) and his or her Center Coordinator
for Clinical Education (CCCE) and/or Clinical Instructor (CI). Basic information is presented
under general headings below. Additional information is available at any time from the
Academic Coordinator for Clinical Education (ACCE).
Clinical Dates: Second and third weeks of March
Prerequisites: Satisfactory academic progress in the DPT curriculum.
Course Description: This is the fourth in a series of seven clinical education experiences
during which the student is to integrate academic materials and practice psychomotor
skills including patient examination, assessment, interventions and documentation which
have been presented to date in the curriculum. The student is also expected to observe,
discuss and assist the CI with examinations and interventions that have not yet been
presented in class. During this fulltime two-week experience, the student will be
supervised by his or her CI, a licensed physical therapist whose facility contracts with St.
Ambrose University for the purpose of providing clinical education experiences.
The student participating in DPT 780 has completed the courses in the 2.5-year curriculum as
listed in the left column below. Course descriptions are available online at
web.sau.edu/pt/coursedescriptions.htm (click on Program, then Entry-Level Program, then
Course Descriptions), or contact the Clinical Education Office.
Completed courses:
Current courses:
Human Gross Anatomy
Professional Seminar
Kinesiology & Biomechanics
Functional Anatomy
Introduction to PT
PT Procedures I
Clinical Education (2 weeks)
Pathology & Medical Management
Physical Agents
Professional Practice & Health Care Systems
Orthotics and Prosthetics
Integumentary Therapeutics
Issues in Research II
Musculoskeletal Therapeutics II
PT Procedures II
Differential Diagnosis
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Issues in Research I
Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology
Clinical Education (3 weeks)
Applied Anatomy & Physiology
Pharmacology
Issues in Patient Care
Musculoskeletal Therapeutics I
Neuromuscular Therapeutics
Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics
Clinical Education (2 weeks)
Advanced Diagnostics
Future courses:
Current Course:
Clinical Education (2 weeks)
Medically Complex Patient
Three internships (8 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks)
Syllabus 780_2012
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Course Objectives: The CI and student are to discuss which of the ten objectives listed
are most feasible dependent upon the type of clinical setting, current caseload, and
student’s previous experiences. The student is not expected to meet all listed objectives
due to the length of this clinical. In addition to the objectives listed, the student will
propose one objective for the clinical (Student Objective Form attached). The CI and
student are encouraged to discuss and edit the proposed objective as needed early in
the clinical experience. The Student Objective Form for DPT 780 is to be attached to
the Student Performance Evaluation returned to the Clinical Education Office.
1.
The student will demonstrate professional behaviors characteristic of a third-year
student (adapted from “Development of a Model for Ability-Based Assessment in Physical Therapy
Education,” Journal of Physical Therapy Education. 9:1, Spring 1995).
2. The student will obtain relevant history from the medical record and/or patient
interview as appropriate.
3. The student will identify the appropriate tests and measures to include in the
examination.
4. The student will implement appropriate tests and measures as part of the patient
examination.
5. The student will integrate the patient’s medical history and examination results to
establish the PT diagnosis and prognosis.
6. The student will formulate appropriate short-term and long-term patient goals.
7. The student will formulate an appropriate physical therapy treatment plan to meet the
short- and long-term patient goals.
8. The student will be able to discuss with the CI or other staff involved in patient care
the rationale for the established plan.
9. The student will safely apply direct physical therapy interventions appropriate to the
patient and previously presented within the academic curriculum.
10. Using SOAP note format or the documentation format preferred by the clinical
facility, the student will document selected patient interactions. The student and CI
will plan the most beneficial method of practicing documentation during this clinical.
Instructional Materials/References: The CCCE and/or CI will share facility orientation
materials, procedures, and protocols for the student as appropriate for the length and level
of the clinical experience. The student will have materials from completed courses and
in-progress courses available during the clinical experience for self-study. The clinical
site may provide additional resources to the student for his/her use during the affiliation.
Grading: A Pass/No Pass grade will be awarded by the ACCE based upon the student’s
clinical performance (as evaluated by the CI using the Student Performance Evaluation form,
and the Student Objective Form for DPT 780), and the student’s timely submission of course
assignments.
Syllabus 780_2012
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General Policies: The student will be responsible for travel, lodging, meals and personal
medical expenses related to this clinical experience. The student will observe the policies of
the facility to which he or she is assigned regarding confidentiality, dress code, working
hours, documentation of health insurance and immunization status, etc. The student will wear
the SAU name badge at all times, unless required to wear a facility name badge. See Clinical
Education Manual* for further detail.
Absence Policy: The student who is absent due to illness or personal emergency will be
expected to contact the CI at the earliest time possible. The student is responsible to
arrange to make up at the convenience of the CI. Absences will be recorded on the cover
sheet of the Student Performance Evaluation form. See the Clinical Education Manual*.
Student Evaluation of the Course: The student will evaluate his/her clinical experience
at the end of the second week using the APTA’s Physical Therapist Student Evaluation
(of the) Clinical Experience and Clinical Instruction form. This form is to be shared with
the CI at the clinical facility and returned to the ACCE. The student will also rate the
course using SAU course evaluation forms upon return to campus.
Course Calendar for Student and CI:
5 weeks prior
CI packets are mailed by Clinical Education Office
to start date
5 weeks prior to Student emails and mails the Student Profile to the Center Coordinator of
start date
Clinical Education (CCCE) and submits copy for the Clinical Education Office
to the Digital Drop Box
2nd and 3rd weeks
Clinical experience
of March
Midterm
Suggested informal evaluation session between CI and student mid-affiliation
Final day
Formal Final Evaluation session:
CI shares the Student Performance Evaluation
Student shares the Student Performance Evaluation (Self-assessment) and the
APTA’s Student Evaluation (of the) Clinical Experience and Clinical Instruction
Immediately after CI mails the Student Performance Evaluation and CI Evaluation of
final day
the Program to the ACCEs
Immediately after Student submits the Confidential Evaluation of the Clinical Experience and Scoutfinal day and first It-Out forms to Blackboard
class meeting on Student turns in Student Performance Evaluation (Self-assessment) form and APTA’s
campus
PT Student Evaluation (of the) Clinical Experience and Clinical Instruction to
the Clinical Education Office or ACCEs’ mail boxes.
For further information contact:
Lynn Frank, PT, ACCE
or
Phone: (563) 333-6407 (work) / (319) 355-5004 (home)
Fax: (563) 333-6410
Email: FrankLynnM@sau.edu
Kristin Ryan, DPT, ACCE
(563) 333-6407 (work)
Fax: (563) 333-5890
Email: RyanKristinS@sau.edu
*Clinical Education Manual: www.sau.edu/PT (click on Program, then Clinical Education Manual)