Curriculum
The PHYSICAL THERAPY curriculum prepares the student to assess, care for, and treat physical disability which may be the result of a neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, or a cardiopulmonary dysfunction. It views these disorders in the context of how the normal human movement and function have been altered, and how the individual's capabilities to interact with and within the environment, have been changed. It is in this area that the physical therapist functions to help the patient achieve a balance between ability and disability. The physical therapist will work with a wide range of age groups - from the pediatric on to the geriatric disabled population, treating both permanent and temporary disability. They will consider the structure and characteristics of the patients they work with. The physical therapist must be trained to take various roles and be highly prepared intellectually as well as emotionally.
The OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY curriculum is geared towards the training of therapists to treat patients with disabilities from the perspective of "occupation or work". The occupational therapists work not only with physical disability but also with emotional and psychological disabilities. their goal in the treatment of these patients is to help them become ready to reenter society, leading productive, independent and satisfying lives. The occupational therapist will be expected not only to know how to recognize dysfunction, but also to do evaluations of patients with emotional dysfunction. Furthermore, the occupational therapist should know how to plan treatment programs for them. Like the PT, the OT works with a variety of patients. For those with acquired or congenital physical disabilities, the OT may fabricate splints and other forms of assistive devices, to allow these patients to accomplish their daily tasks more efficiently. With mentally ill patients, the occupational therapist may conduct treatments to help them cope with activities of daily living and prepare them for reintegration into society. As a whole, the occupational therapist prepares and reestablishes in the patient the skills needed to accomplish the day to day activities and where possible, regain employment.
The RESPIRATORY THERAPY curriculum encompasses the promotion of cardiopulmonary health of society, by training students to provide excellent and ethical patient care to patients with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders. The program prepares the student to provide advanced level of Respiratory Therapy practice, assume leadership positions and influence the quality of pulmonary health care services in diverse practice settings, particularly in Intensive Care Units (ICU) of hospitals. In addition to performing diagnostic and therapeutic respiratory care procedures, the training will also include promotion of cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention and management, and education of the patient, family and community. The students will also be involved in life support activities and in clinical decision-making.
