Introduction to Physical Therapy Assignment

Part A-

1. What are the key components of an effective PT/PTA team?

2. List three similarities and three differences in the educational processes of PTs and PTAs.

3. Explain why it is important for a PT/PTA team to have trust in each other's abilities.

4. Whose responsibility is it to ensure that all directions and treatment parameters for patient progression have been clarified?

Part B-

1. Do you agree with the way Catherine answered the patient's question? Why or why not? If not, what would you do differently?

2. The patient's wife says, "I know someone who is a PTA. She says that a PTA can do everything a PT can do except evaluations, right?" How would you respond?

3. As a newly graduated PTA, you will be working with at least one PT. Identify at least one trait that you will need to develop between now and then to contribute more positively to the PT/PTA team relationship. Describe what you might do to help develop that trait.

Part C-

1. List and explain the four elements that must be proved to substantiate a claim of malpractice.

2. Compare and contrast each of the following pairs of terms:

a. Statutory law / common law:

b. Criminal law / civil law:

c. Fraud / abuse:

d. Assault/battery:

e. Sexual misconduct / sexual harassment:

3. In the following situations, state the likelihood that a claim of negligence could be substantiated. Do you have enough information to make this determination? If so, identify the person or persons whom you think might be held liable. If not, determine the additional information that you might need to make a decision.

4. For each of the following behaviors, identify the law that a PT or PTA might be accused of violating:

Telling a patient, "If you don't help more when I transfer you, I'm going to drop you!"

Restraining a patient in a wheelchair without proper medical orders.

Exposing a client's buttocks without permission or rationale for doing so.

Using excessive force in performing a range of motion.