Health Focused Patient/Client Management for Physical and Occupational Therapists
Contact Information
| Program Director: | Jennifer B Christy, PT, PhD |
| E-Mail: | jbraswel@uab.edu |
| Phone: | 205 - 934 - 3566 |
Mailing address:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of Physical Therapy
1716 9th Avenue South
SHPB 346
Birmingham, AL 35294-1212
Program Information
The UAB Graduate Certificate in Health Focused Patient/Client Management for Physical and Occupational Therapists is designed to prepare PTs and OTs for expanding roles in the areas of prevention, health promotion, and wellness. Health Focused Patient/Client Management is the integration of health promotion and education methods in OT and PT practice to create a holistic approach to enhance patient/client wellness and quality of life. The ultimate goal of the certificate is to enable graduates to develop and implement clinical and community programs to address lifestyle and behavior factors that underlie many chronic diseases. Emphasis will be placed on program development for persons with disabilities. The concepts addressed in the certificate program are applicable across the patient/client lifespan and in a variety of practice settings.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PTC 780 | Hlth Focused Care in PT & OT | 3 |
| PTC 781 | Health Focused Patient/Client Communication and Advocacy | 3 |
| PTC 782 | Health Focused Patient/Client Management I | 3 |
| PTC 783 | Health Focused Patient/Client Management II | 3 |
| PTC 784 | Health Focused Care - Synthesis Project | 3 |
Credentials Conferred
The Graduate Certificate in Health Focused Patient/Client Management for Physical and Occupational Therapists is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Length of Study
The certificate requires 5 semesters to complete; students take 1 course per semester.
Program Entrance Date
Students may begin the program in the spring, summer or fall term.
Admission Requirements
Admissions requirements include completion of a degree in physical or occupational therapy and current licensure as a physical or occupational therapist in the United States or foreign equivalent. Students from countries where English is not the official and primary language must also take and receive an acceptable score on the TOEFL or IELTS. Admission to the certificate is currently suspended.
Degree Requirements
15 credit hours (5 required courses)
Courses
PTC 780. Hlth Focused Care in PT & OT. 3 Hours.
Overview of health promotion principles and health behavior theories as applied in contemporary health care, especially in rehabilitation services. Evidence is presented for the most prevalent preventable chronic diseases/conditions and the health behaviors that contribute to these conditions.
PTC 781. Health Focused Patient/Client Communication and Advocacy. 3 Hours.
Communication and advocacy strategies to effect behavior change at the individual and community level; application of evidence-based and best practice methods/techniques that empower individuals and community to change health-related behaviors.
PTC 782. Health Focused Patient/Client Management I. 3 Hours.
Application of evidence-based and best practice methods/techniques for physical activity/fitness, weight management, and nutrition optimization using a health focused care model.
PTC 783. Health Focused Patient/Client Management II. 3 Hours.
Examines how occupational and physical therapists address smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, sleep health, and stress management using a health focused care model for individuals and community groups. Issues addressed include screening, best practices for interventions, patient education resources, and consultation/referral sources to optimize health outcomes.
PTC 784. Health Focused Care - Synthesis Project. 3 Hours.
Synthesis of content from previous certificate courses to develop a health focused program in the clinical or community setting.
PTC 790. Challenges in American Healthcare: Physical Therapy as a Part of the Solution. 2 Hours.
Exploration of current trends in health and healthcare in the United States with emphasis placed on underserved populations and marginalized communities. As a member of a primary care team, students will assess, analyze, synthesize, and modify determinants of health that underlie health disparities with respect to individual and community health outcomes.
PTC 791. Physical Therapist Role in Primary Care. 2 Hours.
Explore current primary care practice models in which a physical therapist is a team member.
PTC 792. Health-Focused Physical Therapy Care I. 2 Hours.
Preparation to assist patients/clients in underserved populations and marginalized communities to adopt healthier lifestyles, achieving better physical therapy outcomes, and optimize their health using the Health-Focused Physical Therapy Model. This course is part one of a two-course series.
PTC 793. Advanced Physical Therapy Management of Priority Health Conditions I. 2 Hours.
Individual management of identified priority health conditions, within the context of primary care. This course is part one of a two course series where students will use the Patient/Client Management model to develop advanced screening/examination, evaluation, diagnostic and prognostic skills, and plan of care applied to complex and often chronic conditions in a primary care environment.
PTC 794. Health Focused Physical Therapy II. 2 Hours.
Prepares students to assist their patients/clients in underserved populations and marginalized communities to adopt healthier lifestyles, achieving better physical therapy outcomes, and optimizing their health using the Health-Focused Physical Therapy Model. This course is part two of a two-course series addressing health focused care in physical therapy.
PTC 795. Advanced Physical Therapy Management of Priority Health Conditions II. 2 Hours.
Individual management of priority health conditions, within the context of primary care. This course is part two of a two-course series where students will develop advanced intervention skills applied to complex and often chronic conditions in a primary care environment.
PTC 796. Physical Therapists' Role in Disaster Emergency Preparation and Management. 1 Hour.
Underserved populations and marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable in natural disaster events and emergency situations. This course provides the physical therapist with skills within their scope of practice to prepare and respond to emergencies and disasters. Completion of National Safety Council Emergency Medical Response Training is required prior to course enrollment.
PTC 797. Community Engagement and Program Planning for Physical Therapists. 2 Hours.
Strategies for and benefits of community engagement and advocacy by physical therapists. Emphasis placed on needs assessment techniques, program planning, implementation, and evaluation.