Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening
for Physical Therapists

Sponsored by Allied Services

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Dates:  Friday evening 5:30 PM – 9:15 PM, September 12, 2008 &  Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, September 13, 2008

Location: The University of Scranton, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510

Program Registration Fee: $350.00

University of Scranton  Alumni  Discounted Fee: $ 250.00

The program has been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy renewal requirements for the Certificate of Authorization (direct access, approval PTCE000155).  10 credit hours will be issued upon successful completion of the program. 

Program Overview

The day and a half program presents the diagnostic process and medical screening for physical therapists in all areas of clinical practice.  Participants will learn to use the diagnostic process and medical screening in an efficient manner, consistent with the policies and procedures of the practice setting.   Using case studies, participants will establish differential diagnosis's for patients across the lifespan based on evaluation of results of examinations and medical and psychosocial information.   Participants will learn how to effectively communicate or discuss diagnoses and clinical impressions with other practitioners. The use of diagnostic tools in the diagnostic process, including imagining and laboratory studies will be considered.   

Program Objectives:

·         Recognize signs and symptoms of diseases of the various body systems that require immediate medical attention, including the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems (i.e. ”red flags”)

·         Know when referral to other health care practitioners is necessary

·         Engage in the diagnostic process in an efficient manner, consistent with the policies and procedures of the practice setting and to establish differential diagnosis for patients across the lifespan based on evaluation of results of examinations and medical and psychosocial information.

·         Use the following elements of patient/client management to develop differential diagnoses: examination (including history, systems review, tests and measures) evaluation.

·         Assign physical therapy diagnostic labels to identify diseases, disorders and conditions, and to identify the impact of a disease, disorder or condition of the function of the patient/client.

·         Use information gathered from diagnostic tools (including imaging and laboratory tests) in the physical therapy diagnostic process.

Program Instructors*

Edmund M. Kosmahl, PT, EdD (program coordinator) University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

Tracey Collins, PT, PhD, MBA, GCS, University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

Rene M. Hakim, PT, PhD, NCS, University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

Peter Leninger, PT, PhD, OCS, University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

Gary Mattingly, PhD, PT, University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

John Sanko, PT, EdD, University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

Barbara Reddien Wagner, PT, DPT, MHA, University of Scranton Department of Physical Therapy

* Note: All instructors engage in clinical practice.  In the aggregate, the faculty possesses clinical expertise in a wide array of specialties.

Overnight accommodations: