Syllabus for CI and student
580_generic Page 1 of 3
St. Ambrose University
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
DPT 580 Generic Clinical Education Syllabus
Winterim
Introduction: This syllabus describes the format for the initial clinical experience for the
first-year DPT student and supervising Center Coordinator for Clinical Education (CCCE)
and or Clinical Instructor (CI). Basic information is presented under general headings
below. The Academic Coordinators for Clinical Education (ACCEs), Lynn Frank and
Kristin Ryan, are available at any time to answer questions or provide more information.
Please refer to page 3 for contact information.
Clinical Dates: First two weeks of January
Course Description: This is the first 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 (see enclosed Skills List). 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 ready for supervised hands-on
patient care; supervision provided by his/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 580 has completed the courses in the 2.5-year curriculum as
listed below. Course descriptions are available online at www.sau.edu/PT (click on Program,
then Entry-Level Program, then Course Descriptions, or contact the Clinical Education Office.
Completed courses:
Future courses (continued):
Human Gross Anatomy
Professional Seminar
Kinesiology & Biomechanics
Functional Anatomy
Introduction to PT
PT Procedures I
Issues in Patient Care
Musculoskeletal Therapeutics I
Neuromuscular Therapeutics
Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics
Clinical Education (2 weeks)
Issues in Research II
Advanced Diagnostics I
Professional Practice in Physical Therapy
Current Course:
Clinical Education (2 weeks)
Future courses:
Pathology & Medical Management I
Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology
Physical Agents Clinical
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Issues in Research I
Pathology & Medical Management II
Neuromuscular Pediatrics
Applied Anatomy & Physiology
Pharmacology
Clinical Education (3 weeks)
Orthotics and Prosthetics
Integumentary Therapeutics
Critical Inquiry
Musculoskeletal Therapeutics II
PT Procedures II
Advanced Diagnosis II
Differential Diagnosis
Clinical Education (2 weeks)
Management of the Medically Complex Patient
Three internships (8 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks)
Syllabus for CI and student
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Course Objectives: The following course objectives are intended as guidelines for this
experience. We do not anticipate that the student will complete all objectives during this
clinical experience. Dependent upon the area of clinical practice and available caseload, the CI
and student are expected to plan for the individual student to what degree and under what level
of supervision selected course objectives may be productively and safely addressed. During this
initial clinical experience, the CI may instruct using a model of demonstration progressing to
direct supervision. Direct supervision is recommended during this first experience in order
to assure patient safety and to maximize feedback the CI is able to provide to the student.
1. The student will demonstrate professional behaviors characteristic of a first-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 with
moderate guidance from the CI.
3. With minimal guidance from the CI, the student will identify the appropriate tests and
measures* to include in the systems review and examination of non-complex patients.
4. With minimal guidance from the CI, the student will implement systems review and
appropriate tests and measures* as part of the non-complex patient examination.
5. The student will discuss with the CI how to utilize the patient’s medical history,
systems review and exam results to establish the PT diagnosis and prognosis.
6. With moderate guidance of the CI, the student will write appropriate short-term and longterm goals for the non-complex patient.
7. The student will select appropriate interventions* to include in the physical therapy treatment
for non-complex patients.
8. The student will 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 noncomplex patient.
10. The student will document selected patient interactions using the Guide to Physical Therapist
Practice format or that preferred by the clinical facility with minimal guidance of the CI.
*See enclosed Skills List DPT 580 listing the examinations and interventions covered in the
curriculum to date.
Instructional Materials/References: The CCCE and/or CI will share the facility’s orientation
materials, procedures, and protocols with the student as appropriate for the length and level of
the clinical experience. The student will have textbooks and materials from completed courses
available during the clinical experience for self-study. The CCCE or CI may provide additional
resources to the student for his/her use during the clinical experience.
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’s timely submission of course assignments including the Student
Evaluation of the clinical Experience and the Student Performance Evaluation Student Selfassessment forms signed by the CI and student.
Syllabus for CI and student
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General Policies: The Clinical Education Manual is available at www./sau.edu/PT (click
on Program, then on Clinical Education Manual). 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.
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. Questions related to absences may be
directed to the ACCEs, and or refer to the Clinical Education Manual.
Student Evaluation of the Course: The student will evaluate his/her clinical experience using
the Student Evaluation of the Clinical Experience. This form is to be shared with the CI and
submitted to the ACCEs. The student will also rate the course using SAU course evaluation
forms upon return to campus.
580 Course Calendar for CI and student:
6 weeks prior to
CI packets with information and forms for this clinical
start date
experience mailed to the CCCE
6 weeks prior to
Student emails and snail mails the Student Profile to the CCCE and submits the
Profile as a BB assignment.
start date
First two weeks of
January
Midterm
Final day
Clinical experience
Immediately after
final day
Immediately after
final day
First class meeting on
campus
CI mails the Student Performance Evaluation and CI Evaluation of
the Program to the ACCEs
Student submits the Confidential Evaluation of the Clinical Experience, the
Scout-It-Out, and Discussion Board assignment to the Clinical Education BB.
Student brings the fully-signed Student Performance Evaluation
(Self-assessment) and Student Evaluation of the Clinical Experience form to
class (first class meeting for DPT 581).
Suggested informal midterm evaluation session between CI and student
Formal final evaluation session:
CI shares completed Student Performance Evaluation
Student shares completed Student Performance Evaluation (Self-assessment)
and the completed Student Evaluation of the Clinical Experience
Please direct questions or requests for further information to:
Lynn Frank, PT, MPT, NCS
Phone: (563) 333-6407 (work)
(563) 355-5004 (home)
Fax: (563) 333-6410
Email: FrankLynnM@sau.edu
or
Kristin Ryan, DPT, CLT, ACCE
Phone: (563) 333-5890 (work)
Fax: (563) 333-6410
Email: RyanKristinS@sau.edu
Looking for the Clinical Education Manual?
Go to www.sau.edu/PT (click on Program, then on Clinical Education Manual)