Transitional DPT Distance Program

Educational Outcomes

Professional Core Abilities:

  1. Professional Formation and Critical Self-reflection - The student shall utilize a process of deliberative self-reflection to enhance understanding of self and engage in continued professional formation. Formation of professional identity is based on the following core values: accountability, altruism, compassion, excellence, integrity, professional duty and social responsibility
     
  2. Communication Skills - The student shall read, write, speak, listen and use media and technology to communicate effectively. The students shall demonstrate respectful, positive and culturally appropriate interpersonal behaviors in the counsel and education of patients, families, and in communication with other health care professionals.
     
  3. Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment - The student shall acquire, comprehend, apply, synthesize and evaluate information. The student shall integrate these abilities to identify, resolve and prevent problems and make appropriate decisions. The student shall demonstrate the behaviors of the scholarly clinician by developing and utilizing the process of critical thinking and systematic inquiry for the purpose of clinical reasoning, decision-making, and exercising sound critical judgment.
     
  4. Learning and Professional Development - The student shall consistently strive to expand his or her knowledge and skills to maintain professional competence and contribute to the body of professional knowledge. The student shall demonstrate the ability to gather, interpret and evaluate data for the purpose of assessing the suitability, accuracy and reliability of information from reference sources.
     
  5. Ethical Foundation and Moral Agency - The student shall practice in an ethical manner, fulfilling an obligation for moral responsibility and social justice. The student shall identify, analyze and resolve ethical problems.
     
  6. Social Awareness, Leadership, and Advocacy - The student shall provide service to the community and to the profession. The student will assume responsibility for proactive collaboration with other healthcare professionals in addressing patient needs. The student will be prepared to influence the development of ethical and humane health care regulations and policies that are consistent with the needs of the patient and society.

Physical Therapy Care Abilities:

  1. Patient Examination - The student shall perform: (a) Thorough patient interview with appropriate medical history and review of systems; (b) Physical examination utilizing appropriate tests and measures.
     
  2. Patient Evaluation and Physical Therapy Diagnosis - The student shall: (a) Interpret results of the physical therapy examination and other diagnostic procedures; (b) Synthesize pertinent data; (c) Formulate an accurate physical therapy diagnosis. The process of evaluation also may identify the need for consultation with or referral to other health care providers.
     
  3. Patient Prognosis - The student shall predict the patient's level of optimal improvement that may be attained through intervention within a given period of time.
     
  4. Patient Intervention - The student shall design an appropriate plan of care to produce changes consistent with the physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis. The student shall develop a customized plan of care in collaboration with the patient's/family's expectations and goals. The student shall also assume responsibility for delegation and supervision of appropriate human resources engaged in patient care activities.
     
  5. Patient Re-examination/Re-evaluation - The student shall perform an accurate re-examination and re-evaluation to determine changes in patient status and to modify or redirect physical therapy intervention. The process of re-examination and re-evaluation also may identify the need for consultation with or referral to other health care providers. Patient re-examination and re-evaluation may also necessitate modification of delegation and supervision of appropriate human resources engaged in patient care activities.
     
  6. Patient Outcomes - The student shall track the results of physical therapy management, which may include the following domains: Pathology; Impairments; Functional limitations; Participation; Risk reduction/Prevention; Wellness; Community and Societal resources; and Patient satisfaction.
     
  7. Systems Management - The student shall identify the specific contribution of physical therapy management within the healthcare system and the influence of health care policy on that system. In addition, the student shall demonstrate knowledge and be able to effectively interact within the independent framework of the health care team in a complex society. The student shall extend his/her responsibility for physical therapy care beyond individual patients to include care of communities and populations.
Transitional DPT Program Entry Level OT Program

At the Creighton University Medical Center 2006 Commencement, Fr. John P. Schlegel, S.J., Creighton University President stated, "Your professors have challenged you to be leaders in your professions. As a student, you were expected to go beyond the ordinary to achieve the extraordinary. Your patients will expect no less of you. Do not disappoint them. Ethics, service, and excellence: These three words have been consistent across the 127 years of Creighton's existence; they serve as the foundation for what we do today. You will carry these with you; they are marks of a Creighton health care professional."

Julie Ekstrum, DPT, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Creighton University, is now a Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. Ekstrum will be formally recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at the Combined Sections Meeting in February 2008.