The Patient Interview and Physical Examination

Presented by Amy McDevitt

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Video Runtime: 71 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 40 Minutes

This course emphasizes the importance of keeping the patient at the center of every aspect of the encounter. Through adopting a thematic approach to patient interviews, participants will learn how to explore a patient’s medical history, current condition, personal and environmental factors, and goals. By emphasizing shared decision-making and evidence-based elements, participants will learn how to integrate a patient’s unique perspective into their care plan. The course also covers the principles of motivational interviewing, communication strategies, and how to use the interview to frame the patient plan of care.

Meet your instructor

Amy McDevitt

Amy McDevitt is an accomplished professional in the field of physical therapy. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Fairfield University in 1996 as well as a master of physical therapy degree in 2000 and a tDPT degree in 2004, both from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Demonstrating a…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Elements of the Interview

1. Elements of the Interview

The goal of this chapter is to describe the essential elements of the patient interview and highlight goals of the interview when treating patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Themes of the Patient Interview

2. Themes of the Patient Interview

The goal of this chapter is to outline a suggested approach to the patient interview using three themes to organize information relevant to taking a complete history, which will inform the patient plan of care.

The Therapeutic Alliance and Shared Decision-Making

3. The Therapeutic Alliance and Shared Decision-Making

The goal of this chapter is to introduce the learner to motivational interviewing concepts and enhance patient engagement and participation in the patient encounter. Further, this chapter will highlight communication strategies to promote shared decision-making to support the therapeutic alliance between patient and provider.

Elements of the Patient Examination

4. Elements of the Patient Examination

The goal of this chapter is to discuss what the learner needs to consider when approaching the patient examination. Further, the chapter will highlight the key elements of the patient examination and demonstrate their performance.

Executing the Patient Examination and Interpreting Findings

5. Executing the Patient Examination and Interpreting Findings

The goal of this chapter is to demonstrate performance of key elements of the patient examination and discuss the interpretation of findings.

Developing a Plan-of-Care Approach

6. Developing a Plan-of-Care Approach

The goal of this chapter is to describe how to synthesize examination information to develop a plan of care approach, including manual therapy interventions.