OCTH 652: Physical Dysfunction Practice: Musculoskeletal
Prerequisite: Successful completion of OCTH 640, 642, 644 and 646 or permission of
the Chair
Credit Hours: (3)
Develops knowledge and skills for clinical practice with adults who have musculoskeletal
disorders or medical/surgical conditions affecting occupational performance. Applies
the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance model, and introduces other theoretical
models and frames of reference that inform occupational therapy for physical dysfunction.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topics include:
History and practice trends in physical dysfunction intervention
Etiology, course, prognosis and medical management of:
- spinal cord injury
- arthritis
- hip fractures and joint replacements
- hand and upper extremity injuries
- low back pain
- burns
- cardiac and pulmonary disease
- cancer
- HIV infection and AIDS
- amputation
- Evaluation of joint range of motion, muscle strength, sensation, pain and functional
mobilit
- The biomechanical and rehabilitative approaches for intervention
Adjunctive modalities:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Physical agent modalities
Sexuality and physical dysfunction
Prosthetic programs
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Readings, lectures and discussions will be supplemented by "hands-on" practice with
evaluation and intervention techniques. Students will work individually and in teams
to analyze live, videotaped and/or print case studies, evaluate simulated clients,
and develop intervention plans.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze the effects of genetic conditions, disease processes and traumatic injury
on the adult and his/her occupational performance, within the cultural context of
family and society;
- Discuss how theories, models of practice and frames of reference are used in occupational
therapy evaluation and intervention with orthopedic clients;
- Given a simulated client, use standardized and nonstandardized assessment tools to
evaluate the client's occupational performance;
- Given a simulated client, develop an intervention plan and strategies that reflect
the stated needs of the client, the data gathered during the evaluation process and
relevant theoretical constructs;
- Given a simulated client, select direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures
to enhance occupational performance;
- Use clinical reasoning to explain the rationale for and use of compensatory strategies
when desired life tasks cannot be performed;
- With a partner as "client", design, fabricate, apply, fit and train the client in
orthotic and prosthetic devices used to enhance occupational performance.
Assessment Measures
Participation in team activities, tests, graded intervention plans and client simulation
exercises may be used to assess the outcomes of this course.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
Approved: April, 2010