APPENDIX K - Essential Requirements of Physical Therapy Education (DPTE Student Handbook)

INTRODUCTION

The physical therapy degree is recognized as a broad undifferentiated degree requiring the acquisition of general knowledge and basic skills in all applicable domains of physical therapy. The education of a physical therapist requires assimilation of knowledge, acquisition of skills and development of judgment through patient care experience in preparation for independent and appropriate decisions required in practice. The current practice of physical therapy emphasizes collaboration among physical therapists, other health care professionals, the client and the client’s family.

POLICY

Elon University Department of Physical Therapy Education (DPTE) endeavors to select applicants who have the ability to become highly competent physical therapists. The Elon curriculum in physical therapy adheres to the standards and guidelines of the Commission on Accreditation Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. Within these guidelines, the DPTE has the freedom and ultimate responsibility for the selection and evaluation of its students; the design, implementation and evaluation of its curriculum; and the determination of who should be awarded a degree. Admission and retention decisions are based not only on prior satisfactory academic achievement but also on nonacademic factors, which serve to ensure that the candidate can complete the essential functions- admission, retention, graduation- of the academic program required for graduation.

The department has the responsibility to the public to assure that its graduates can become fully competent and caring physical therapists, capable of doing benefit and not harm. Thus, it is important that persons admitted possess the intelligence, integrity, compassion, humanitarian concern, and physical and emotional capacity necessary to practice physical therapy.

The DPTE, as part of Elon University, is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. The department does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. When requested, the university will provide reasonable special services and accommodations to otherwise qualified students with documented disabilities.

PROGRAM

Technical standards, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to those physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum, and the development of professional attributes required of all students at graduation. The essential abilities required by the curriculum are in the following areas: intellectual, communication, observation, motor, and the behavioral and social aspects of the performance of a physical therapist.

Intellectual

The student must have the ability to acquire and master information presented in course work in the form of lectures, written material, projected images and demonstrations.

comprehend dimensional and spatial relationships of structures and be able to develop reasoning and decision-making skills appropriate to the practice of physical therapy.

The student must have the aptitude to use computers and other technology for research, classroom assignments and clinical experiences (electronic medical records).

Communication

The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently both nonverbally and verbally (in oral and written English) with clients and family and other members of the health care team. The communication skills require the ability to assess all information, including nonverbal communication, with immediate assessment of information to allow for appropriate, well-focused follow-up. The student must be capable of responsive, empathetic listening in order to establish rapport in a way that promotes openness on issues of concern and sensitivity to potential cultural differences.

The student must have the ability to take and document (written or electronically) an appropriate history and perform a physical examination. Such tasks require the ability to communicate with the client and family. The student must be able to process and communicate information on the client’s status with accuracy, and in a timely manner, to physical therapist colleagues and other members of the healthcare team. This information needs to be communicated in a succinct, yet comprehensive manner, and in settings in which time is limited. The appropriate communication may also rely on the student's ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervision and consultation in a timely manner.

Observation

Observation includes the use of vision, hearing, and somatic sensation. The student must be able to observe educational presentations including lectures, lab dissections and demonstrations. The student must be able to observe a patient accurately up close and at a distance. The student must also be capable of perceiving and interpreting the signs of disease and impairments through direct hands-on performance and observation of the physical examination including but not limited to observation and palpation of the body surfaces, palpable changes in various organs and tissues, and auditory information (such as patient voice, lung and heart sounds).

Motor

A major component of the practice of physical therapy is the assessment and management of movement disorders. Therefore, the student must have fine and gross motor ability to safely evaluate and provide therapeutic and emergency care to a patient; for example: move a patient’s limbs to assess range of motion or strength, position a large or immobile patient, transfer a patient from a bed to chair, physically guard and provide assistance to a patient while walking, apply mobilization techniques, manipulate health care tools (sphygmomanometer), provide CPR. Additionally, the student must be able to ensure the physical safety of the patient, self and co-workers at all times.

Behavioral/Social

The student must possess attributes which include: altruism, accountability, compassion/caring, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility. The student must have the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment which may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways. The student must have the interpersonal skills to positively and professionally interact with patients, family members, and other health care providers with diverse backgrounds.

These essential functions of physical therapy education identify the requirements for admission, retention and graduation of applicants and students respectively at the Elon.

University Department of Physical Therapy Education. Graduates are expected to be qualified to enter the field of physical therapy. It is the responsibility of students with disabilities to request those accommodations that they feel are reasonable and are needed to execute the essential requirements described. Students who indicate they cannot meet any of these essential requirements will be reviewed by Elon University to determine what, if any, accommodations might be reasonable if admitted to the program.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EDUCATION ATTESTATION

I ________________________________________________________(print)

      First Name                               Middle Name                            Last Name

Have read and understand the purpose and guidelines of the “” Essential Requirements of Physical Therapy Education” noted above and found in the Student Handbook.

I understand that successful completion of the Physical /Therapy Program is contingent upon my ability to perform the skills, with or without accommodations, listed in the Essential Requirements Document.

I understand that if an accommodation needs to be requested, I must assume the responsibility to contact Disability Resources prior to the initiation of any academic and/or clinical experience(s).

I understand that reasonable accommodations in the academic setting and reasonable accommodations in the clinical setting differ.

Once enrolled at Elon University Department of Physical Therapy Education, I understand that a faculty advisor will be appointed. If I have any questions following enrollment, I should contact the Chair of the Physical Therapy Program or my faculty advisor.

Signature:_______________________________Today’s Date: _____________

______________________________

          Home Street Address

______________________________

City               State             Zip Code

Upload a signed copy to Exxat and bring a signed hard copy to orientation.

Questions? 

Contact Dr. Stephen Folger, Chair & Program Director of Physical Therapy Education

336-278-6347 or folgers@elon.edu