Course Descriptions

Physical Therapy

Donna Frownfelter PT, DPT, M.A., CSS, RRT, FCCP
Assistant Professor, Director of Post-Professional DPT Program
Phone (847) 578-8514 || Fax (847) 578-8816
Email Donna.Frownfelter@rosalindfranklin.edu

Physical Therapy

Donna Frownfelter PT, DPT, M.A., CSS, RRT, FCCP
Assistant Professor, Director of Post-Professional DPT Program
Phone (847) 578-8514 || Fax (847) 578-8816
Email Donna.Frownfelter@rosalindfranklin.edu

Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Through Distance Education

General Information:	Graduate Curriculum:
Accreditation	Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements	Degree Program
Application Information	Distance Learning Format
Academic Calendar	Course Descriptions
Computer and Internet Requirement	Physical Therapy Home
Faculty
Tuition

Post-Professional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Through Distance Education

General Information:	Graduate Curriculum:
Accreditation	Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements	Degree Program
Application Information	Distance Learning Format
Academic Calendar	Course Descriptions
Computer and Internet Requirement	Physical Therapy Home
Faculty
Tuition

Course Name & Description:

Education	A course designed to aid with planning, implementing and evaluating academic courses, as well as inservice programs. Methods and models for design and realistic evaluation models, as well as criteria and selection of audiovisual aids are included.
Health Care Delivery	The historical evolution of health services provides a backdrop for the core focus of this course: the study of healthcare regulation. The curriculum includes an analysis of the current changes in the healthcare environment and the problems affecting the delivery of healthcare in the United States that create a demand for government action. A study of the process of policy formation underscores the complexity and difficulty of government action. Economic and political approaches to health policy analysis will be introduced with a particular focus on contrasting competitive and regulatory approaches to the resolution of health policy problems. A course designed to introduce the student to the current structure of the health care delivery system and its impact on physical therapy services.
Clinical Biomechanics	A course examining the structure and function of the various connective tissues that comprise human articulations. Principles of biomechanics, and arthrokinematics of selected regional articulations and clinical relevance of connective tissue and joint mechanics as related to functional activities will be included.
PT Examination	Screening for Disease, acase series which uses clinical decision making examples to practice differential diagnosis strategies. The course covers the identification, selection, prioritization of clinical signs and symptoms in order to integrate them for the purpose of clinical diagnosis.
Pharmacology	A course covering basic pharmacotherapeutics, including the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of drugs relevant to physical therapists. New drugs will be identified with special emphasis on their effects on PT interventions.
Evidence Based Practice	An introduction to the utilization of best evidence in the practice of Physical Therapy. After covering the development of clinical questions, the course moves into how to identify databases and use searching strategies to find evidence. Finally, it covers the application of the evidence in the clinical practice setting.
Measurement	A course designed to help students understand the principles of measurement theory as applied to physical therapy. Opportunity to explore the reliability and validity of measurement instruments of their choice.
Statistics	Basic principles of biometry and applied statistical methods using current computer software.
Advanced Clinical Practice	A course in clinical specialty areas which focuses on the new approaches in the care of clients in the clinical specialty. The course will cover background sciences, evolutionary development of the approach and current application of the techniques.
Anatomical Imaging	A course covering new imaging techniques relevant to orthopedic and neurological physical therapy.
Alternative Medicine	A course exploring the history, theory and scope of practice of alternative and complementary health therapies, including homeopathy, chiropracty, naturopathy, Chinese medicine and other methods.
Pain	An online course that provides a comprehensive overview of the multidimensional phenomenon of pain. Topics include: definitions, terminology, epidemiology, theoretical foundations of pain and pain relief (anatomical, neurophysiological, philosophical, psychological, spiritual and cultural) assessment, holistic and multidisciplinary collaborative management of pain with emphasis on the role of the physical Therapy prevention, ethical considerations and contemporary research. Neurophysiological basis of pain as related to mechanisms in pain reduction, psychology of pain, assessment of the pain patient delineating specific pain syndromes and the contemporary management of the pain patient with emphasis on theoretical and clinical considerations of the physical therapist.
Nutrition Course Electives	See Nutrition Website
Management	A course covering an overview of the planning, controlling and evaluating process for managers. The self-study materials will concentrate on the use of management objectives in the planning, controlling and evaluation process.
Independent Study	An individualized independent learning experience which may include, but not be limited to the following: a. Summary of the literature on a special topic b. Specialized study of clinical techniques in an area of special emphasis.c. Special objectives and treatment for a particular patient group.
Practicum	An intensive internship experience in the students local area. May be clinical, research, administrative or educational in nature.
Critical Skills in Cyberspace	Introduces the student to Internet browsing software. Skills emphasized include surfing the Internet; evaluating world wide web sites; basic web site design and development; completing effective Internet and online literature database searches and reviewing health related websites.
Microsoft Office XP Training Modules (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)	Introduces the student to basic skills required to use word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software packages are emphasized. A partial list of topics addressed in the course include: Word processing software: document handling, formatting, tables, inserting objects; presentation software: creating slides and handouts, formatting, transitions, inserting objects; spreadsheet software: data entry and formatting, formulas, creation of charts, tables and graphs. These skills are taught through the completion of self-instructional, computer-based assignments.