hero-overlay
Back To Courses

Differential Diagnosis- Module 1: Intro to Screening for Referral/Physical Assessment

Text Course
Product #1072PT
Text Course
10 Hours
Profession PT/PTA

Course Description:

This course is derived from the textbook Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists by Catherine Goodman, MBA, PT, CBP and Teresa Snyder, MN, RN, OCN, CS. Following the standards for competency established by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) related to conducting a screening examination, Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists, 5th Edition gives you a consistent way to screen for systemic diseases and medical conditions that can mimic neuromuscular and musculoskeletal problems. This comprehensive text centers on a 5-step screening model that covers past medical history, risk factor assessment, clinical presentation, associated signs and symptoms, and review of symptoms for each client.

This course covers chapters 1 and 4:

  • Chapter 1:  Introduction to Screening for Referral in Physical Therapy
  • Chapter 4:  Physical Assessment as a Screening Tool

Methods of Instruction:

Online course available via internet

Target Audience:

Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Athletic Trainers.

Educational Level:

Intermediate

Prerequisites:

None

Course Goals and Objectives:

At the completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  1. Identify the key factors that create a need for screening
  2. Recognize clinical presentation "red flags"
  3. Differentiate between medical screening versus screening for referral
  4. Describe the purpose of the diagnosis
  5. Identify issues with establishing a diagnosis and the scope of physical therapy practice
  6. Recognize key objectives set forth by the APTA in achieving autonomous physical therapist practice
  7. Recognize associated signs and symptoms of systemic diseases
  8. Identify the guidelines for immediate medical attention 
  9. Identify the guidelines for physician referral
  10. Recognize the initial physical assessment tests and how to perform: nutritional status, vital signs, body and breath odors, pulse rate, respirations and blood pressure
  11. Recognize the guidelines for hypertension and management
  12. Differentiate between the clinical stages of shock
  13. Identify common skin lesions and accompanying diseases
  14. Differentiate between the common types of nail bed changes
  15. Recognize the regional screening techniques for head and neck, thorax, and abdomen
  16. Identify precautions/contraindications to therapy

Criteria for Obtaining Continuing Education Credits:

A score of 70% or greater on the post-test

PT State Approvals

Alabama Board Accepted/Approved
Alaska Approved
Arizona Approved Category A
Arkansas Arkansas PT Board Approved
California Approved
Colorado Approved- Meets CO DORA for Category 1
Connecticut Board Accepted/Approved
Delaware Approved
District of Columbia Approved
Florida Florida Approved for Online/Home Study
Georgia Approved
Hawaii Approved
Illinois Illinois Approved Provider (#216.000250)
Indiana Approved-Category 1
Iowa Board Accepted/Approved
Kansas Board Accepted/Approved
Maine No State Requirements
Massachusetts Approved
Michigan Approved (Activity Code 1)
Mississippi Approved
Missouri Approved
Montana Approved Category A
Nebraska Board Accepted/Approved
New Hampshire Board Accepted/Approved
New York Approved Provider
North Carolina Approved
North Dakota Board Accepted/Approved
Oklahoma Approved- Oklahoma Medical Board Via CE Broker
Oregon Approved
Pennsylvania Approved - (10GEN or 10DA)
Rhode Island Approved
South Carolina Board Accepted/Approved
South Dakota No State Requirements
Tennessee Board Accepted/Approved-Class 1
Texas TPTA Approved/Accredited Provider # 2801036TX
Utah Board Accepted/Approved
Vermont Approved
Virginia Approved-Type 1
Washington Board Accepted/Approved
Wisconsin Approved
Wyoming Board Accepted/Approved