This course is part of the Primary Care Certificate. Upon completion of all 6 courses, you will claim your CE credits for the Certificate. 

In this course, learners will sharpen their clinical decision-making skills for assessment strategies, diagnostic imaging, and differential diagnosis strategies for common conditions.

Learning Objectives

1. Formulate differential diagnoses of common physical therapy and non-physical therapy-related conditions using components of the physical therapy examination and evaluation.
2. Outline the expected physical therapy examination and evaluation findings for red flag and yellow flag conditions.
3. Understand the physical therapist’s role in diagnostic imaging for common physical therapy conditions.
4. Describe the general principles of pharmacology as they relate to clinical decision-making in physical therapy.
5. Identify the general drug classes, mechanisms of action, risk-benefit ratio, and implications on clinical decision-making and interventions.
6. Interpret diagnostic imaging and lab results.
7. Evaluate the indications for imaging and lab tests.
8. Describe communication strategies for discussing imaging and lab results with patients and other healthcare providers.
9. Understand the signs and symptoms of common physical therapy conditions.
10. Describe appropriate intervention techniques for common physical therapy conditions.

Course Details

• Module 1: Triage
  • Formulating differential diagnoses for common conditions
  • Recognizing red flag and yellow flag conditions
• Module 2: Sociovenironmental Factors in Clinical Decision-Making
  • Understand the role of socioenvironmental factors in clinical decision-making
• Module 3: Referrals for Imaging, Lab Tests, and Prescription Medication
  • Principles of pharmacology and their impact on clinical decision-making
  • Appropriate referrals for imaging, lab tests, and prescription medication
• Module 4: Clinical Decision-Making for Imaging, Lab Tests, and Prescription Medication
  • Appropriate interpretation of imaging and lab results 
• Module 5: Differential Diagnoses of Common Diagnoses in the Primary Care Clinic
  • Conducting a comprehensive physical therapy exam
  • Identifying signs, symptoms, and appropriate interventions for common conditions

1.0 CEU / 10 contact hours (Approved for Direct Access CEU in Pennsylvania)