Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Principles

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental definitions, process stages, professional roles, and core values of physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation

A set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment.

Goal of Rehabilitation

Ensure healthy lives, and promote wellbeing for all ages.

Physical Therapy

Services that are provided by Physical Therapist to individuals and population to develop, maintain, and restore maximum movement and function ability, with the primary purpose of promoting optimal health and function.

Examination

The assessment of individuals or groups with actual or potential impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions or abilities/disabilities by history taking, screening and the use of specific tests and measures.

Evaluation

Results of the examination of individuals/groups and/or the environment through analysis and synthesis within a process of clinical reasoning to determine the facilitators and barriers to optimal human functioning.

Diagnosis and Prognosis

Outcomes arising from examination and evaluation that represent clinical reasoning and the incorporation of additional information from other professionals, expressed in terms of movement dysfunction or categories of impairments, activity limitations, participatory restrictions, environmental influences, or abilities/disabilities.

Prognosis

The process beginning with determining the need for care/intervention and leading to the development of a plan of care/intervention, including measurable outcome goals negotiated in collaboration with the patient/client, family, or caregiver.

Intervention/Treatment

Actions implemented and modified to reach agreed goals, including manual handling, movement enhancement, physical/electro-therapeutic/mechanical agents, functional training, provision of assistive technologies, patient instruction and counselling, documentation, co-ordination, and communication.

Physical Therapist

Only professionals who provide physical therapy intervention.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Only individuals who provide selected physical therapy interventions under the direction and at least general supervision of the physical therapist.

Accountability

Active acceptance of the responsibility for diverse roles, obligations, and actions of the physical therapist, including self-regulation and other behaviors that positively influence patient/client outcomes, the profession, and health needs of society.

Altruism

The primary regard for or devotion to the interest of patients/clients, thus assuming the fiduciary responsibility of placing the needs of the patient/client ahead of the physical therapist's self-interest.

Compassion

The desire to identify with or sense something of another's experience; a precursor of caring.

Caring

The concern, empathy, and consideration for the needs and values of others.

Excellence

Physical therapy practice that consistently uses current knowledge and theory while understanding personal limits, integrates judgment and the patient/client perspective, embraces advancement, challenges mediocrity, and works toward development of new knowledge.

Integrity

Steadfast adherence to high ethical principles or professional standards.

Professional Duty

The commitment to meeting one's obligations to provide effective physical therapy services to individual patients/clients, to serve the profession, and to positively influence the health of society.

Social Responsibility

The promotion of a mutual trust between the profession and the large public that necessitates responding to societal needs for health and wellness.