Differential Diagnosis & Medical Screening

About this Certificate Program

Gain the necessary knowledge to thrive in autonomous practice, direct access, primary care, and even emergency departments. In this Certificate Program, you will learn how to recognize hallmark signs and symptoms of serious musculoskeletal and nonmusculoskeletal pathology, both acute and chronic, along with how to form clear clinical pictures when systemic, orthopedic, and neurologic illness and injuries overlap. The intent of this course is not to train you to make medical diagnoses per se but rather to allow you to confidently determine when to treat, refer to other healthcare providers, or 'treat and refer'.

Target audience

This certificate program is appropriate for any physical therapist, those who are direct access providers and those who are not. Medical Screening and differential diagnosis are essential components in autonomous practice and is within the scope of the physical therapy profession.

Goals & objectives

• Recognize hallmark signs and symptoms of serious musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal pathology.

• Identify common non-musculoskeletal pathology through a review of the body's systems.

• Identify common musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal pathology in the body's musculoskeletal system.

• Form clear clinical pictures when systemic, orthopedic, and neurologic illness and injuries overlap.

• Understand the importance of sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios in regards to diagnostic tests/CPRs.

• Confidently determine when to treat, refer to other healthcare providers, or 'treat and refer'.

• Enhance your clinical decision making skills, including clinical reasoning and clinical judgment.