CORE IDEAS, CROSS-CUTTING CONCEPTS, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT LEARNING

(from 7D of the Standards and Required Elements for Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education Programs)



Adhere to legal practice standards, including all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to patient/client care and fiscal management.

Report to appropriate authorities suspected cases of abuse of vulnerable populations

Report to appropriate authorities suspected cases of fraud and abuse related to the utilization of and payment for physical therapy and other health care services.

Practice in a manner consistent with the APTA Code of Ethics.

Practice in a manner consistent with the APTA Core Values.

Implement, in response to an ethical situation, a plan of action that demonstrates sound moral reasoning congruent with core professional ethics and values.

Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including patients/clients, family members, caregivers, practitioners, interprofessional team members, consumers, payers, and policymakers.

Identify, respect, and act with consideration for patients’/clients’ differences, values, preferences, and expressed needs in all professional activities.

Access and critically analyze scientific literature.

Apply current knowledge, theory, and professional judgment while considering the patient/client perspective, the environment, and available resources.

Identify, evaluate and integrate the best evidence for practice with clinical judgment and patient/client values, needs, and preferences to determine the best care for a patient/client.

Effectively educate others using teaching methods that are commensurate with the needs of the learner, including participation in the clinical education of students.

Participate in professional and community organizations that provide opportunities for volunteerism, advocacy and leadership.

Advocate for the profession and the healthcare needs of society through legislative and political processes.

Identify career development and lifelong learning opportunities, including the role of the physical therapist in the clinical education of physical therapist students.

Determine when patients/clients need further examination or consultation by a physical therapist or referral to another health care professional.

Obtain a history and relevant information from the patient/client and from other sources as needed.

Perform systems review

Select, and competently administer tests and measures appropriate to the patient’s age, diagnosis and health status

Evaluate data from the examination (history, health record, systems review, and tests and measures) to make clinical judgments.

Use the International Classification of Function (ICF) to describe a patient's/client’s impairments, activity and participation limitations.

Determine a diagnosis that guides future patient/client management.

Determine patient/client goals and expected outcomes within available resources (including applicable payment sources) and specify expected length of time to achieve the goals and outcomes.

Establish a safe and effective plan of care in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders, including patients/clients, family members, payors, other professionals and other appropriate individuals

Determine those components of the plan of care that may, or may not, be directed to the physical therapist assistant (PTA) based on (a) the needs of the patient/client, (b) the role, education, and training of the PTA, (c) competence of the individual PTA, (d) jurisdictional law, (e) practice guidelines policies, and (f) facility policies

Create a discontinuation of episode of care plan that optimizes success for the patient in moving along the continuum of care.

Competently perform physical therapy interventions to achieve patient/client goals and outcomes.

Manage the delivery of the plan of care that is consistent with professional obligations, interprofessional collaborations, and administrative policies and procedures of the practice environment.

Delineate, communicate and supervise those areas of the plan of care that will be directed to the PTA.

Monitor and adjust the plan of care in response to patient/client status.

Assess patient outcomes, including the use of appropriate standardized tests and measures that address impairments, functional status and participation.

Complete accurate documentation related to 7D15 - 7D30 that follows guidelines and specific documentation formats required by state practice acts, the practice setting, and other regulatory agencies.

Respond effectively to patient/client and environmental emergencies in one’s practice setting.

Provide physical therapy services that address primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, health promotion, and wellness to individuals, groups, and communities.

Provide care through direct access.

Participate in the case management process.

Assess and document safety risks of patients and the healthcare provider and design and implement strategies to improve safety in the healthcare setting as an individual and as a member of the interprofessional healthcare team

Participate in activities for ongoing assessment and improvement of quality services.

Use health informatics in the health care environment.

Assess health care policies and their potential impact on the healthcare environment and practice.

Participate in the financial management of the practice setting, including accurate billing and payment for services rendered.

Participate in practice management, including marketing, public relations, regulatory and legal requirements, risk management, staffing and continuous quality improvement.