Creighton University, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Physical Therapy Department Program Philosophy

The faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy affirm the mission and values of Creighton University and the School of Pharmacy and Health with the recognition that each individual has responsibility for maintaining the quality and dignity of his/her own life and for participating in and enriching the human community. This ideal requires both individual effort and the collective support and assistance of others. The Creighton Department of Physical Therapy as an educational environment facilitates individuals and communities in achievement of this ideal through the nurture, support and advancement of physical therapy as a professional discipline.

Physical Therapy as a discipline within Health Care

Physical therapists are integral members of the health care team who competently diagnose, evaluate and offer therapeutic intervention within the scope of physical therapy practice. Individuals have the right to quality health care through direct access to physical therapists. The physical therapist demonstrates service to each individual by addressing each person's specific needs while ethically integrating therapeutic outcomes with the needs of the greater society. This may include promoting health, maximizing ability and minimizing movement dysfunction, and decreasing the deleterious effects of health impairments, functional limitations and disability.

To achieve the primary professional goal of facilitating the client's optimal function within society, the physical therapist must master substantial breadth and depth of knowledge in the basic and applied sciences, incorporate critical thinking skills, exercise humility, demonstrate integrity and bridge theory with practice. Scientific knowledge is complemented by experiences that enhance understanding of the complexity and diversity of the patient and society including psycho-social, cultural and ethical elements of patient care. Comprehensive preparation in the science and art of the profession provides the foundation for fully assuming the role of a professional which encompasses practice as a primary health care provider, pursuit of clinical expertise, commitment to clinical or academic teaching, facilitation of research and guiding health care planning and policy. 

The physical therapist offers care in a compassionate, artful, legal, and ethical manner, while providing guidance as a teacher and advocacy as a moral agent. The practitioner must be prepared to participate in a broad spectrum of activities that span a range from health promotion through comprehensive rehabilitation. As effective members of the health care team, physical therapists address patient needs throughout the life span that are manifested as acute or chronic dysfunction of movement due to disorders of the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary and integumentary systems.

The Education Environment

The ideal learning environment for students enrolled in the Creighton Physical Therapy Department is one of intellectual challenge, presenting opportunities for collaborative and independent learning and offering experiential breadth that encompasses collaboration with peers, clients, families and others within and external to the discipline of physical therapy. In concert with the Jesuit tradition of Creighton University, the Physical Therapy Department provides an environment that values human dignity across various styles of thinking and diverse social backgrounds while fostering moral responsibility and academic excellence. This dynamic framework allows students to identify, define and grow to fulfill the responsibilities of a professional within society.

Faculty

Faculty in Physical Therapy at Creighton University value community and unity of purpose as elements that are essential to the educational process. As a community of scholars and professionals, the faculty have a commitment to inquiry and accept the responsibility for contributing to the theoretical underpinnings, evolving knowledge base and practical implementation of physical therapy practice. The faculty are unified as facilitators of student learning and of reflective inquiry while serving as role models for professional behavior, service to society and the pursuit of justice.

JB Barr, PT, DPT, Assistant Professor, works with Bridget Plumb, PT, DPT, 2008 Creighton alumna and 2008-2009 Resident in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program.

Learner

Commitment to patients, society and the profession, in the realms of service, research and education is essential and lifelong. Students should contribute to the program, the University and society by reflecting the program's philosophy of service and learning. Striving to develop appropriate, effective strategies for advocating and instituting change is a goal to be pursued as students enter a dynamic health care environment. Students are encouraged to develop their potential for lifelong learning, recognizing that the struggle for continual betterment of society, profession and self is an ongoing process throughout their professional careers. Consistent with the mission of the University, graduates are valued for their individual abilities to contribute to both society and the profession.

Conclusion

Creighton University Department of Physical Therapy is committed to leadership in clinical doctoral education through academic excellence, significant scholarly contributions, service to the human community and fostering societal and professional dedication within its graduates.

Creighton's PT in the Domican Republic program (ILAC) is an optional clinical education program completed just prior to graduation.  Kristin Hoffman, SPT and Micah Kern, SPT, both May 2009 graduates, provide gait training and an orthotic for their patient at the ILAC Center.