Enhancing Clinical Reasoning Skills in Physical Therapy With
Real Case Review (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Mary Derrick-Manis and Elizabeth Lane
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Physical therapists often focus on literature related to single conditions or diagnoses, yet real-world patient presentations are rarely straightforward. This webinar is designed specifically for physical therapists looking to enhance their clinical reasoning skills, which are essential for precise assessment, personalized treatment planning, and informed decision-making—from routine cases to complex scenarios. Participants will delve into the fundamental elements of clinical reasoning, emphasizing thorough information collection, systematic synthesis, and the precise application of relevant data.
This session aims to provide attendees with practical strategies that can be applied across diverse outpatient clinical settings, benefiting both seasoned practitioners and new graduates alike. By participating, physical therapists can expect to bolster their confidence in managing intricate patient cases and achieving optimal treatment outcomes by improving their collection and synthesis of patient information
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the application of clinical reasoning elements, such as history taking, examination, and treatment planning in a patient interaction
- Plan a comprehensive patient interview based on basic patient information provided with intake paperwork
- Determine the benefit or hinderance of any cognitive biases that are present during a recorded patient interaction
- Plan an objective examination that is standardized yet patient specific based on subjective information collected during a recorded patient interaction
- Examine the strengths and opportunities for improvement of clinical reasoning components a clinician utilizes during a patient interaction
- Analyze the intervention selected for a patient based on provided evidence for a patient interaction
Meet your instructors
Mary Derrick-Manis
Dr. Mary Derrick-Manis is an assistant professor (clinical) in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she teaches Tests and Measures as well as Musculoskeletal Management. She is also a PhD candidate studying the acquisition of pain beliefs in health…
Elizabeth Lane
Dr. Elizabeth Lane has practiced in outpatient orthopedics for 13 years and taught in postprofessional continuing education since 2013. She received her clinical doctorate in physical therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. She holds board certification in orthopedics and is a fellow of the American Academy of…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Patient Intake and Patient Interview
This chapter will provide a brief overview of key clinical reasoning concepts, including cognitive biases, the SINSS model, and using a body chart. We will then review and critique a recorded patient interaction to analyze how these components were and were not utilized and discuss their importance to the process.
2. Objective Exam and Trial Treatment
This chapter will introduce clinical reasoning concepts, focusing on refining hypotheses and balancing having a systematic approach and efficiency with patient-specific assessments. We will then review and critique a recorded patient interaction to analyze how these components were and were not utilized to discuss their importance to the process.