AHPT 850: Pharmacology
Prerequisite: AHPT 830 or permission of Department
Credit Hours: (2)
Psychosocial Elements of Illness and Disability introduces and examines the psychosocial
concepts and factors affecting the patient, family, and the patient/ therapist relationship
in caring for individuals experiencing acute, chronic, and terminal illness.
Detailed Description of Course
Psychosocial Elements of Illness and Disability introduces and examines the psychosocial
concepts and factors affecting the patient, family, and the patient/ therapist relationship
in caring for individuals experiencing acute, chronic, and terminal illness. It explores
the relationships and interactions between patient and society with respect to physical
disability and disease. Students will also explore areas of ageism, cultural diversity,
elder, child abuse and domestic violence.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course content may be presented by lecture, guest speakers, written assignments, and
development of a reflective journal, small group interactions, and student oral presentations.
Goals and Objectives of this Course
Will require students to:
1) Identify personal, societal beliefs, values and experiences and how they affect
the role of people with illness or disabilities in our culture and the health care
system; 2) Identify typical responses to physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities;
3) Apply communication principles to patient's, family members, colleagues, and other
professionals within the patient/ client care setting; 4) Identify and understand
the response to grief and loss and coping; 5) Describe strategies and develop effective
healthcare interventions for patients in various stages of grief; 6) Identify and
understand coping strategies in patients/ clients; 7) Contrast behavioral strategies
and psychological strategies in addressing and identifying how physical therapy interventions
should be adjusted to effectively treat patients/ clients with physical and psychological
disorders across the lifespan; 8) Provide examples of different cultural responses
to disease and physical and emotional disabilities; 9) Review a plan of care with
a patient with a specific physical or mental disability and discuss the cultural,
moral, social and psychological issues; 10) Describe the symptoms of fear, anxiety,
depression, and the impact of stress on an individual's health and behavior with disability;
11) Collaborate and describe effective methods of interacting with patient, family,
and other professionals to design healthcare interventions to meet the patient's needs
from a holistic approach; 12) Identify an examine the psychosocial and environmental
issues related to illness and disability during childhood, adolescence, adulthood
and aging; 13) Analyze the clinical implications and limitations to the psychosocial,
environmental issues related to childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging; 14) Identify
the symptoms and causes of physical and emotional abuse across the lifespan; 15) Recognize
and increase awareness of incidence, prevalence, and populations at risk and prevention
strategies with physical and emotional abuse across the lifespan; 16) Describe mandated
reporting and its relevance and importance to physical therapy; 17) Describe the grieving
process that accompanies patients/ clients with disabilities and their families and
assist patients/ clients and families in coping with this process; 18) Recognize
and report behavioral and physical signs of abuse and refer to appropriate professionals;
19) Demonstrate compassion with and sensitivity to patients/ clients and family members
with physical and emotional disabilities; 20) Recognize common emotional responses
and cultural beliefs to illness, disability, and impairment and adjust/modify examination
and intervention strategies to meet patient's/client's needs; 21) Collaborate and
describe effective methods of interacting with patients, family and other professionals
to design healthcare interventions to meet patients' needs from a holistic approach.
Assessment Measures
May include but not limited to:
Reflective journals, written assignments, personal analysis/self awareness papers,
group projects, and examinations
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
February 10, 2014