Theresa A. Kolodziej PT DPT MS Director of the Transitional DPT Program

Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy

Daemen's transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy (tDPT) program is one of the latest offerings by the institution's longstanding and esteemed Physical Therapy Department. During the course of the past 30 years, the Physical Therapy Program at Daemen College has graduated more than 2000 physical therapists, most of who are now employed as clinical professionals and educators in a wide range of disciplines throughout the world.

General Overview

Daemen College's tDPT program is residency-based, and is offered in an accelerated fashion for those interested in completing their degree in less that one year. Classes are offered in a module format on weekends to accommodate working professionals. Experienced faculty teach, practice, and conduct research in a various fields of inquiry.

Coursework Requirements

The curriculum consists of nine courses (30 credits), five (15 credits) of which are identified as the core. The Admissions Committee will determine, for each student, the course work required to complete the tDPT degree. The committee will assess each candidate's qualifications relative to formal education, professional development, clinical experience, and life experiences for purposes of developing the individual's Plan of Study for degree completion.

Required Core Courses

Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy (5 credits)
Evidence Based Practice (2 credits)
Management and Administration Issues (3 credits)
Principles of Professional Practice (2 credits)

Discipline Specific (may be required)

Cardiopulmonary Health & Wellness (3 credits)
Integumentary System (2 credits)
Musculoskeletal System (5 credits)
Neuromuscular System (5 credits)

Program Faculty

Pam Bartlo PT CCS
Susan Bennett PT EdD NCS
Mike Brogan PT DPT PhD CWS FCCWS
Charles Ciccone PT PhD
Laura Edsberg PhD
Greg Ford PT DPT MS OCS
Mary Rose Franjoine PT DPT MS PCS
Jody Gandy PT PhD
Joan Gunther PT PhD CVT
Jennifer Gurske MD PT MS CWS
Sharon Held PT DPT MS PCS
Cara Innus MPAS RPA-C
Richard Johnston PT MA
Allyson Kirk MPAS RPA-C
Theresa Kolodziej PT DPT MS
Margaret Mazzone PT MS
Kirsten Nielsen PT PhD
Tamara Owen PT ATC MS MBA
Joel Patterson RPA-C
Jennifer Priore PT DPT MS
Ron Schenk PT PhD OCS FAAOMPT CertMDT
Gregg Shutts RPA-C , MS
Jeff Slear BS CES
Keith Taylor PT PhD
Mary Jean Taylor MA PT PCS
Steven Tepper PT PhD
Laurie Walsh PT JD

Course Descriptions

PT 701-PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (2 credits)

The role of a doctor of physical therapy is the focus of this course with emphasis on communication skills, teaching and learning for diverse populations, responsibilities of a practitioner, and active membership in professional associations. Understanding the Guide to Physical Therapy Practice is also emphasized in this course, with discussion of case applications that integrate information systems, including computer assisted instruction and use of the Internet, for educational opportunities for patients and/or communities.

PT 702-CARDIOPULMONARY HEALTH AND WELLNESS (3 credits)

Primary and/or secondary cardiopulmonary dysfunction as it relates to the practice of Physical Therapy will be discussed. Case scenarios will integrate principles of differential diagnosis and establishment of long term management of cardiopulmonary conditions. Healthy lifestyle behaviors will be discussed along with the ideals and tenets relative to disease prevention and promotion of wellness for general and specific populations. Topics will include practice setting specific management principles and therapeutic techniques as they relate to individuals from young adulthood to the elderly.

PT 703 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS I (5.0 credits)

This course is an integration of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary and cardiopulmonary pathologies that require physical therapy management. Key topics characteristic of common pathologies (the etiology, epidemiology, underlying pathophysiology, clinical signs and symptoms related to impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, prognosis, diagnosis, medical, and surgical management) will be discussed. Reading and interpreting laboratory analysis, radiographs and images related to differential diagnosis will be integrated in case presentations. Topics for discussion will also include practice setting specific diagnostic principles and examination techniques as they relate to individuals across their life span. Knowledge of other general medical disorders of the endocrine, genital-urinary, and gastrointestinal systems, as well as specialty areas such as oncology, HIV/AIDS, TB, and Hepatitis, will be presented with emphasis on systems review for differential diagnosis.

PT 704-MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM (5 credits)

Differentiating musculoskeletal dysfunctions/disorders of the spine and upper and lower extremities, and their associated structures is the emphasis of this course. Students will further develop the concepts of decision-making and critical thinking in evidence-based clinical practice. Musculoskeletal examination and treatment techniques, including spinal and extremity manipulation, will be presented and applied in a conceptual framework emphasizing functional restoration, health, and wellness. Laboratories will promote development of skill in the application of examination and intervention techniques discussed in a lecture format. Techniques will be discussed and practiced in the context of clinical problems. Students will have the opportunity to critically evaluate examination findings via paper cases to further build differential diagnosing and problem-solving skills as they relate to current practice standards. Contemporary perspectives to surgical management will be presented and explored by regional experts in the field.

PT 705-EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE (2 credits)

The use of evidence to guide practice is essential in today's healthcare environment. This course will define evidence-based practice including its advantages and disadvantages. Students will learn the fundamental skills necessary to make patient management decisions based on data and best evidence and implement them into practice. Learning experiences will provide students with opportunities to conduct searches of relevant clinical and scientific literature, to efficiently critically review that literature, and to utilize principles of research methods to design a patient centered research initiative relevant to their practice setting. The course will include on-line learning experiences and will culminate in a presentation describing best practice for a pre-described clinical scenario.

PT 707-CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (3 credits)

This course will present the basic drug classes and the physiologic basis of their action. Drugs will be grouped according to their general effects and the type of disorders they are routinely used to treat. Special emphasis will be placed on drugs that are commonly used to treat people receiving physical therapy. This course will likewise address how drug therapy interacts with physical therapy, and how drugs can exert beneficial effects as well as adverse side effects that impact on rehabilitation.

PT 708-NEUROMUSCULAR SYSTEM (5 credits)

Clinical decision making and critical thinking in evidence based clinical practice during all phases of patient/client management for individuals with neuromuscular dysfunction will be discussed. Key theoretical and functional principles and applications of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, psychology, lifespan development, and motor control/learning will provide the foundational knowledge for movement and related disorders seen in neuromuscular patient populations; as well as, for clinical examination (including nerve conduction and electromyography), standardized outcome assessment, evaluation and differential diagnosis, and prognosis and intervention planning and therapeutic techniques. Models of motor control, major principles related to motor learning, contributions of information processing and memory, and contemporary research evidence will be integrated into clinical practice as a means toward optimizing skill acquisition for a wide variety of clinical diagnoses, and as strategies to optimize motor control across the life span. Options and applications of assistive technology including orthotics and other equipment/devices, as well as, fitness and prevention will be discussed in this course.

PT 709-INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (2 credits)

As health care professionals providing wound care, we are constantly challenged to make judgements about a patient's needs as well as effectively monitor outcome from specific interventions. The course will include such topics as: basic dermatology, anatomy and physiology of wound healing, theoretical models of wound healing, proposed effects of various treatment modialities, evaluation of wounds, complicating factors to wound repair, wound dressings, nutrition and debridement.

PT 710-MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION ISSUES(3 credits)

A broad survey of topics essential to the administration and management of physical therapy services will serve as the framework for this course. Topics covered will include: leadership models and practice, ethical dilemmas and problem solving, professional compliance and regulatory issues, liability and risk management, quality assurance, planning and fiscal considerations, marketing and public relations, personnel management, information management and documentation, and outcomes assessment.

 

For more information, contact Theresa Kolodziej, Director of the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy Program @ 716-839-8412 or tkolodzi@daemen.edu