PHT 6024: Professional Issues I - UF Department of Physical ...

PHT 6024: Professional Issues I

                                    WELCOME
                                    SYLLABUS
                                   DISCUSSION
                                  RESOURCES

                                          

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide 1st year DPT students at
the University of Florida an introduction to the profession of physical therapy and the
role of the professional in physical therapist practice. You will learn about the application
of core values and professional behaviors, models of rehabilitation and why they matter,
how advocacy works and why it's critical to physical therapist practice, how to
disseminate (share) information to peers, patients, and providers, and financial
considerations as a DPT student. These are the things you've probably never even
thought about when choosing a career in PT but are incredibly important to your
success as a healthcare professional and your time as a DPT student.
Course Offered by: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and
Health Professions, University of Florida
Course prerequisites: Course participation is limited to first semester entry-level DPT
students at the University of FloridaCourse participation is limited to first semester entry-
level DPT students at the University of Florida
Course participation is limited to first semester entry-level DPT students at the
University of Florida
Credits: 2 credits

Instructor: Meryl Alappattu, DPT, PhD; meryl@ufl.edu
Office: Biomedical Sciences Building Room J398
Office hours: By appointment
Class time and location: Monday 9:00A- 10:25A; Communicore C1-17 (next to DPT
Orientation room; same level as Starbucks)
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe knowledge of codes of professional behavior, including APTA’s Code of
   Ethics, Florida Statutes 486, The Guide for Professional Conduct, and Standards of
   Practice.
2. Describe the characteristics of your role as a health professional as an entry-level
   doctoral prepared physical therapist using the CPI, the APTA Standards of Practice,
   the Guide to PT Practice, The State Practice Act, recent research literature and
   additionally provided information.
3. Describe the unique qualities of a professional, with emphasis placed on the
   healthcare setting and special emphasis placed on physical therapy settings.
4. Discuss the necessity of developing professional behaviors that are unique to the
   health care profession and necessary as part of entry level training.
5. Discuss the importance of the behaviors of “critical thinking and problem solving” in
   the role of the PT professional.

6. Discuss the necessity to embrace an attitude of “lifelong learning” in the professional
    field of PT. Design a plan for professional development throughout your academic,
    clinical, and professional career.
7. Identify methods to promote effective verbal, non-verbal, and written professional
    communication during student presentations, group work, assignments, and during
    class discussion.
8. Identify and explain the various contexts in which the PT is an educator and the type
    of relationship that is necessary between therapist and patient that will foster
    independence, empower the patient, and encourage active learning and future
    compliance when direction and encouragement is withdrawn .
9. Describe how the professional organizations (eg. American Physical Therapy
    Association and Florida Physical Therapy Association) represent and meet needs of
    physical therapists.
10. Identify key legislative issues at the state and federal level directly affecting the
    profession of physical therapy.

11. Demonstrate appropriate affective behaviors by interpreting and responding to
    feedback provided by the course instructor in a professional manner during team
    presentations, assignments, and in-class discussions.
12. Identify 3 professional behaviors for which to develop specific goals that you will
    achieve by the end of Semester 2.

Teaching Methods: Lecture (online and/or in-class), discussion, student group work.

Required Textbooks (All online)
       Guide to PT Practice
       Professionalism Module 1: Introduction to Professionalism
       Professionalism Module 2: History of Professionalism in Physical Therapy
       Professionalism Module 3: Ethical Compass
       Leading the Team: A Practical Guide to Working with Physical Therapist Assistants
       (PTAs)

                                     COURSE SCHEDULE

DATE TOPIC                         READINGS                        ASSIGNMENTS & QUIZZES

       Intro to course: Course
       outline, schedule, and      APTA Core Values
8/21   expectations.               APTA Standards of Practice      TEST QUIZ
       APTA Core Values &          LECTURE 1
       Standards of Practice

       Professionalism in the UF
       DPT Program: Barbara
8/28   Smith, PT, PhD, Janae        UF DPT Student Handbook
       Rankin, SPT, Brett Zebelian,
       SPT

                                   The Leadership Edge
                                   10 Ways to Have a Better
                                   Conversation
8/31-                              Culture
      Leadership EDGE Seminar
9/1
                                   Followership
                                   Strengths Finder
                                   Leadership Edge SUMMARY

Sleep in, Netflix binge, workout,
9/4    NO CLASS: Labor Day
                                     BBQ, etc. ENJOY the day off!!

                                     Professionalism Module 1
                                     Professionalism Module 2

       Professionalism in Physical   WHO ICF Model
9/11   Therapy
                                     Clinical Reasoning Using the ICF
       Models of Rehabilitation      Model
                                     Introduction and Patient/ Client
                                     Management Model (Guide to PT
                                     Practice)

        Professionalism in the Clinic:
       Key Considerations for          UF DPT Clinical Education
9/18                                                                     QUIZ 1: Due 9/18 10:00P
       Single-day Visits and           Handbook
       Internships

                                     Professionalism Module 3: Ethical
       Ethics in Physical Therapy
                                     Compass
9/25   Communication: How, Why,
                                Resolving Ethical Complaints or
       Who Cares?
                                Disputes

       Professional Development      Professional Behaviors Self-
10/2
       Plan and Team Meetings        Assessment

       Who are Physical Therapist
                                     A Practical Guide to Working
10/9   Assistants & What Role Do                                         QUIZ 2: DUE 10/9 10:00P
                                     with PTAs
       They Play in PT Practice?

      Advocacy in Physical
      Therapy: How Your
      Professional Organizations     FS486: Florida Physical Therapy Practice Act Assignment due
10/16 Work For You:
                                     Practice Act                    10/15 11:59P
       Elisa Gonzalez-Rothi, DPT,
       PhD

Pimp Your Presentation:
10/23
        Mark Bishop, PT, PhD

                                                                      Flu shot verification due 10/31
                                                                      11:59P
10/30 REACH Speeches
                                                                      Professional Behaviors Self
                                                                      Assessment due 11/1 11:59P

        Student Loans & Finances in
11/6    PT School: Why Should You Reading TBA
        Care Now?

11/13 Advocacy Presentation PREP                                      QUIZ 3: DUE 11/13 10:00P

        Advocacy Team
11/20
        Presentations

        Advocacy Team
11/27
        Presentations

        What’s on the forefront for
12/4                                  Reading TBA
        physical therapy?

        Grading: This course will be graded according to the departmental guidelines located in
        the UF DPT student handbook.
        Students will also be required to complete various assignments to include, but not
        limited to: homework assignments, quizzes, and group presentations. We will utilize
        Canvas for in-class and pre-class assignments, including readings. Class participation
        will be evaluated individually and through class discussions as per the discretion of the
        course instructor.
        For all written assignments, students are required to write and sign the following
        Honor Code pledge: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received
        unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.”

                                       GRADE BREAKDOWN

ACTIVITY                                                       POINTS       % GRADE

Practice Act Assignment                                        20 points    13%

Professional Behaviors Self-Assessment                         Pass/Fail    -

REACH Speech                                                   25 points    17%

Advocacy Team Presentation                                     30 points    20%

Quizzes (3 x 15 points each)                                   45 points    30%

Class participation                                            30 points    20%

TOTAL                                                          150 points   100%

                                         GRADING SCALE

(%)                       TOTAL POINTS          GRADE    GRADE POINTS

93 - 100   93.0 - 100    A    4.00

90 - 92    90.0 – 92.0   A-   3.67

87 - 89    87.0 – 89.0   B+   3.33

83 - 86    83.0 – 86.0   B    3.00

80 - 82    80.0 – 82.0   B-   2.67

70-79      70.0 – 79.0   C    2.00

60-69      60.0 – 69.0   D    1.00

Below 60

Professional Behavior: Effective professional behavior is critical for a successful
transition from the classroom to the clinical setting. Your faculty recognize the
importance of these behaviors and have incorporated the development as well as
evaluation of these behaviors into each academic course. In order to demonstrate safe
and effective professional behavior prior to clinical visits that occur in the third semester
of the curriculum, all students must attain “beginner“ professional behavior by the
end of semester 2 as demonstrated by behaviors in the classroom, laboratory, and
REACH Group activities. Students will formally self-evaluate their professionalism
during midterm of 1st semester. Students must progress from “Beginner” through to
“Clinical entry-level” throughout the remainder of the academic and clinical curriculum.
Failure to do so will prevent the student from advancing in the curriculum and may result
in professionalism probation and/or possible expulsion from the program. See UF DPT
Student Handbook for more information.
Academic Honesty: In this program we are sensitive to students submitting
independent work and to using complete and accurate referencing in complying with the
University of Florida Rules - 6Cl-4.0l7 Student Affairs: Academic Honesty Guidelines.
Unless specified otherwise in writing, all assignments, quizzes, and exams are to be
completed independently. This means that collaboration with or assistance from any
other person on assignments or quizzes will be considered a violation of the UF Honor
Code and referred to the Dean of Students office.
In abiding by the Academic Honesty Guidelines; the following pledge has been
accepted by the University and is expected of all students:
“I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all of
their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and
understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary
action, up to and including expulsion from the University.”
We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and
our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
Class attendance policy: Attendance for class is required. Please refer to UF DPT
Student Handbook for excused/unexcused absences and protocol for calling
department. Personal issues with respect to class attendance or fulfillment of course
requirements will be handled on an individual basis.
Missed class or assignment policy: If you have an unexcused class absence, you will
not receive any credit for participation or class activities on that day, including group
presentations. Submission of assignments after the established deadline will not be
accepted. Personal issues with respect to this policy will be handled on an individual
basis.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requesting classroom
accommodations must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of
Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide the
documentation to the course instructor when requesting accommodation.
Counseling and Student Health: The UF DPT Program can be demanding and
stressful. Students may occasionally have personal or academic issues that arise in the
course of pursuing higher education or that may interfere with their academic
performance. If you find yourself facing problems affecting your coursework, you are
encouraged to talk with an instructor and to seek confidential assistance at the UF
Counseling & Wellness Center, 352-392-1575.
The UF Student Health Care Center at Shands is a satellite clinic of the main UF
Student Health Care Center located on Fletcher Drive on campus. Student Health at
Shands offers a variety of clinical services, including primary care, women's health care,
immunizations, mental health care, and pharmacy services. The clinic is located on the
second floor of the Dental Tower in the Health Science Center. For more information,
contact the clinic at 352-294-5700.
Crisis intervention is available 24/7 from:
UF Crisis and Emergency Services: 352-392-1575
Alachua County Crisis Center: (352) 264-6789
Laptop and Smartphone policy: Laptop computers and/or tablets are permitted for
taking notes only. Internet use is not permitted during lectures. Texting or other use of
phones in not permitted. Students who are identified using the Internet or their cell
phones during class time will be give a Professionalism warning and this will be
placed in their file. Three (3) professionalism incidents can lead to dismissal from the
program per the UF DPT Student Handbook.
Classroom attire: Professional attire as described in UF DPT Student Handbook is
required for all lectures.
Class preparation and Instructor expectations for students:

   All reading assignments must be completed by students prior to class, since
    reference to this information will be made during class time and will not be repeated
    in detail.
   All information in reading assignments is fair game for quizzes.
   Students should be proactive in asking questions to clarify any readings or
    assignments.
   Emails to Instructor are appropriately titled for ease of response.

Materials in this course may be copyright protected. Please do not distribute them
                        without permission of Dr. Alappattu.