MCCCD Program Description

Communication in Physical Therapy

Course: PTA205

First Term: 2013 Fall

Lecture 1.5 Credit(s) 1.5 Period(s) 1.5 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Communication skills in the Physical Therapy setting. Self-image in communication. Active listening, responding to problems, body language, patient interview skills. Communicating with chronically ill and dying patients and their families. Communicating with persons with disabilities. Cultural differences in communication and views of Health Care.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the role of self-image in communication. (I) 2. Explain the role of family as part of self-image. (II) 3. Define the criteria for a value. (III) 4. Describe factors needed to make sound ethical decisions. (IV) 5. Describe the aim and characteristics of effective helping. (V) 6. Distinguish between pity, sympathy, and empathy. (V) 7. Demonstrate use of select strategies for emotion-laden interactions. (VI) 8. Describe aggressive, passive, and assertive behavior. (VII) 9. Demonstrate the use of the D.E.S.C. (Describe the situation, Explain your emotions about the problem or indicate why the situation is a problem, Specify how you would like the situation to change, explain the Consequences of the change) method in assertive communication. (VII) 10. Describe the benefits of using assertive communication. (VII) 11. Describe the use of matching, pacing and leading and neuro-linguistic programming in effective patient-practitioner interaction. (VIII) 12. Describe the use of positive descriptive statements in patient-practitioner communication. (VIII) 13. Describe the impact of culture on delivery of health care services. (IX) 14. Describe the healing attitude of the interview. (X) 15. Describe health behavior theories. (XI) 16. Describe the principles of effective patient education. (XI) 17. Describe effective techniques for educating groups. (XI) 18. Describe techniques effective in communicating with persons with disabilities. (XII) 19. Describe legislative and economic aspects of disability. (XII) 20. Describe effective communication regarding sexuality and disability. (XIII) 21. Describe sexuality issues and spinal cord injury, myocardial infarction, and low back pain. (XIII) 22. Describe effective communication with dying patients and their families. (XIV) 23. Describe stages of loss. (XIV) 24. Describe various signs and symptoms of prolonged stress. (XV) 25. Describe various stress management strategies. (XV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Basic Awareness of Self A. Nature of Self B. Self Awareness II. Family A. Influence of Family B. Healthy and Dysfunctional Families III. Values and Behavior A. Defining Values B. Values That Detract From Therapeutic Helping C. Values That Reinforce Therapeutic Helping IV. Resolving Moral Dilemmas A. Professional Ethics B. Solving Ethical Dilemmas C. Application of the Problem Solving Process V. Effective Helping A. Therapeutic Communication B. Levels of Interaction C. Beliefs of Effective Helpers VI. Effective Communication A. Emotion-Laden Interactions B. Active Listening C. Sending Clear Messages VII. Assertiveness Skills A. Personal Rights B. Assertive, Aggressive, Passive Behaviors C. Acting Assertively D. Using D.E.S.C. VIII. Rapport and Neuro-Linguistic Programming A. Generic Abilities B. Establishing Rapport 1. Matching 2. Pacing and leading 3. Representational systems 4. Neuro-linguistic programming IX. Communicating with Cultural Sensitivity A. Influence of Culture on Therapeutic Effectiveness B. Individualistic and Collective Cultures C. Universal Aspects of Health Care D. Spirituality X. The Helping Interview A. Healing Attitude B. Parts of the Helping Interview XI. Effective Patient Education A. Health Behaviors B. Effective Patient Education C. Effective Group Presentation XII. Communication with Persons with Disabilities A. Labeling B. People-First Language C. Bias D. Legislative and Economic Aspects of Disabilities XIII. Sexuality and Disability A. Sexuality and the Health Care Worker B. Normal Sexual Response C. Sexuality and Disability 1. Spinal cord injury 2. Myocardial infarction 3. Low back pain XIV. Communicating with Dying Patients and their Families A. Fear and Death B. Quality of Life Issues C. Stages of Loss D. Therapeutic Responses XV. Stress Management A. Causes of Stress B. Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of Prolonged Stress. C. Stress Management Strategies D. Burnout in Healthcare Workers

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 23, 2013

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.