Geriatric Practice: Screening by Chief Complaint
Presented by Ray VanWye
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This course addresses the critical need for physical therapists to quickly and accurately identify conditions outside the typical scope of their practice. By equipping physical therapists with advanced evaluation techniques, the course aims to reduce the chances of delayed diagnoses and ensure that patients receive appropriate referrals to other healthcare providers when necessary. This information can be applied to various healthcare settings as the course will help physical therapists refine their clinical reasoning skills and promote effective interprofessional communication. Through case studies and practical exercises, physical therapists will learn to recognize red flags, implement referral strategies, and improve patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- Apply advanced screening techniques to assess patient conditions and identify those requiring medical referral or additional care
- Implement an effective referral plan to ensure seamless patient transitions between physical therapy and other healthcare services
- Determine when a patient’s signs or symptoms fall outside the scope of physical therapy and require intervention from other healthcare professionals
- Examine case studies to identify common red flags and patterns indicating conditions that may necessitate referral or further evaluation
- Evaluate history and examination results to discern underlying issues that could impact treatment outcomes and overall health
Meet your instructor
Ray VanWye
Dr. Ray VanWye has been a licensed physical therapist since 2006 and has taught within an entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program since 2015. He specializes in differential diagnosis, screening for referral, and cardiopulmonary physical therapy. Dr. VanWye earned a BS (2001) and MS (2007) in exercise science from…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Screening for Referral in Geriatric Practice
This chapter explores advanced screening techniques in geriatric physical therapy, focusing on recognizing conditions that require referral to other healthcare providers and the screening process during physical therapy examinations. It also covers strategies for effectively communicating findings to medical providers to ensure seamless patient transitions, which is vital for optimal care coordination in addressing the complex needs of geriatric patients.
2. Joint Pain and Limb Pain
This chapter examines the key indicators when a geriatric patient’s joint or limb pain requires referral to other healthcare professionals. Using case studies, it identifies common red flags and patterns, helping physical therapists evaluate history and examination results to uncover underlying issues that could affect treatment outcomes and overall health.
3. Headache and Pain After Trauma
This chapter explores the critical signs and symptoms in geriatric patients with headaches or pain following trauma that indicate the need for referral to other healthcare professionals. It uses case studies to identify common red flags and patterns, guiding physical therapists in evaluating patient history and examination results to uncover underlying issues that could impact treatment plans and overall health outcomes.
