PCOM Georgia DPT Program: Evidence-Based Practice, Clinical Experience
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Physical Therapy Curriculum and Course Sequence 
DPT Program at PCOM Georgia

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at PCOM Georgia is designed to be completed in eight trimesters (two trimesters in the first year, three trimesters in the final two years). Program requirements include coursework and three full-time clinical experiences.

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Physical Therapy Curriculum at PCOM Georgia

The curriculum model is best described as hybrid, incorporating elements of traditional and systems-based curricula. In the early stages, the instruction focuses on normal body structure and function and includes content from both the Basic/Foundational sciences and the Clinical/Physical Therapy sciences. As the student develops an understanding of “normal” and how to assess it, the emphasis begins to shift to health conditions commonly seen in physical therapy, focusing on addressing impairments and activity and participation limitations/restrictions. All components of the patient/client management model are addressed in courses that are systems-based. The curriculum includes:

The six courses in this area provide the foundation for an understanding of “normal” structure and function. Although they are foundational in nature, each course stresses clinical application of knowledge and concepts. The key question used to identify appropriate content in these courses is: “How will this knowledge or these concepts equip students for physical therapist practice?”

The 14 courses in this content area emphasize medical and physical therapy identification of health conditions and deviations from “normal” structure and function. Students will learn to identify and manage impairments as well as limitations in activity and participation. These courses, for the most part, are systems-based. Management of patients/clients across the life span in these courses will include consideration of the impact of contextual factors, medical diagnosis and treatment. Each of the system-based courses will address all aspects of the patient-client model (e.g., examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and outcomes). Evidence related to tests and measures, prediction models and interventions will be explored. The courses are structured to promote critical thinking and to explore interprofessional management of patients/clients while considering ethical and legal issues.

The two courses in this area are intended to develop the skills and knowledge needed for students to become efficient and effective users of evidence. Students will also develop an appreciation for the need to balance the evidence with their experience and the patients’ preferences. Tools will be identified and skills developed that will promote life-long learning and the ability to remain current in the practice of physical therapy. Knowledge and skills necessary to add to the evidence through research will also be stressed. It is expected that the knowledge and skills gained in these courses will be applied to critical analysis of tests and measures and interventions addressed in the Clinical/Physical Therapy science courses.

An understanding of the context in which health care occurs is critical for effective patient/client management. Each of the four courses in this area are designed to help students understand this context by addressing the role of government and professional organizations in health care, the importance of collaborating with others on the healthcare team in order to promote more efficient and effective use of limited resources, cultural and psychosocial issues that impact patient/client management, approaches to teaching as an intervention utilized heavily in physical therapy practice and how to manage healthcare services in a variety of different settings. The final course guides the students in evaluating their own professional engagement and planning for future professional development as they enter practice as licensed physical therapists.

The clinical experience series is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for safe and effective physical therapy practice. Students will have an opportunity throughout the curriculum to provide pro bono services under faculty supervision. This will provide opportunities to model professional behavior and integrate knowledge and skills gained during each semester of didactic work. Students will be exposed to a variety of physical therapy practice settings and to a wide range of patient populations across the lifespan by the completion of the clinical experience component (Clinical Experiences I-III).

Students are able to participate in a maximum of four credits of elective coursework with approval of the faculty instructor and faculty advisor. The variety of elective courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to enhance knowledge, critical thinking, and professional development in areas of interest.

Physical Therapy Course Sequence

The information listed below is from the PCOM course catalog. Terms, sequences, courses and credit hours are subject to change at any time without notice.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Term 1Hours
Fall
PT 601 Clinical Anatomy for Physical Therapists 8
PT 606 Medical Terminology 1
PT 621A Principles of Evidenced-Based Practice 2
PT 631 Professional Engagement I: Introduction 2
INDP 100A Inter Professional Education 0.5
PT 614 Intro to Pharmacology, Diagnostic Tests and Imaging 3
 Hours16.5
Term 2
Spring
PT 602 Clinical Kinesiology 4
PT 603 Differential Diagnosis for PT 4
PT 611A Physical Therapy Exam I 5
INDP 100B Inter Professional Education 0.5
PT 605A Foundations of Clinical Interventions I: Therex 3
 Hours16.5
Second Year
Term 1
Summer
PT 604A Clinical Neuroscience I 3
PT 605B Foundations of Clinical Interventions II: Modalities 3
PT 611B Physical Therapy Exam II 5
PT 711A Musculoskeletal Management I 6
 Hours17
Term 2
Fall
PT 604B Clinical Neuroscience II 3
PT 621B Components of Evidenced-Based Practice: Design & Statistics 3
PT 711B Musculoskeletal Management II 6
PT 713 Assistive Technology: P&O 3
 Hours15
Term 3
Spring
PT 612 Cardio and Pulmonary Management 5
PT 613 Integumentary Management 3
PT 717A NeuroRehabilitation I 6
PT 731 Professional Engagement II, Healthcare and Practice Management 3
 Hours17
Third Year
Term 1
Summer
PT 716 Complex Multi System Disorders 4-5
PT 717B NeuroRehabilitation II 5
 Hours9-10
Term 2
Fall
PT 841 Clinical Experience I 7
PT 842 Clinical Experience II 8
 Hours15
Term 3
Spring
PT 831 Professional Engagement III, Lifelong Learning 1
PT 843 Clinical Experience III 15
 Hours16
 Total Hours122-123

Learning Spaces at PCOM Georgia

Visit our Physical Therapy Education Center page to learn more about the laboratories and classrooms at our Suwanee, Georgia facility.

Our physical therapy curriculum includes the opportunity to practice skills inside our learning labs on our Suwanee, Georgia campus.

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