10 Questions
When may red flags or associated signs and symptoms of an underlying systemic or viscerogenic cause of a client's NMS symptoms or movement dysfunction first appear?
As the disease progresses
What is the primary reason for repeating the screening process during the course of physical therapy intervention?
To identify new red flags or symptoms that may have developed
During which stage of the physical therapy process is the client most likely to present with indicators of systemic disease?
During the examination
What may occur during physical therapy intervention that can cause previously unnoticed or silent symptoms to present more clearly?
Exercise stresses the client's physiology
What is the primary purpose of a screening examination in physical therapy?
To determine if the patient is appropriate for physical therapy intervention
What is the result of a lack of progress in physical therapy?
The need for a reexamination or modification of the treatment plan
What is the term used to describe the process of identifying and describing the specific movement impairment present in a patient?
Differential diagnosis
What is the role of the physical therapist in the diagnostic process?
To identify the patient's primary dysfunction
What is the outcome of the evaluation process in physical therapy?
A label describing the patient's primary dysfunction
What is the purpose of identifying risk factors and yellow or red flags during the evaluation process?
To identify the need for a screening examination
Study Notes
Differential Diagnosis vs Screening
- The title change from "Differential Diagnosis in Physical Therapy" to "Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists: Screening for Referral" reflects a better understanding of the screening process and a more accurate use of the term "differential diagnosis".
- The term "differential diagnosis" describes the identification of a specific movement impairment, if present.
Evolution of Diagnosis in Physical Therapy
- In the past, diagnostic labels were primarily the domain of physicians.
- The concept of diagnosis has evolved over time, and physical therapists now use diagnostic labels to describe a patient's primary dysfunction(s).
Diagnostic Process
- The diagnostic process begins with data collection (examination), proceeds through data organization and interpretation (evaluation), and ends with the application of a label (diagnosis).
- The diagnostic process may involve a screening examination, especially if no identifiable movement dysfunction is found.
Screening Process
- The screening process is not a one-time evaluation, but rather an ongoing process that may occur at any point during the continuum of care.
- The screening process is used to identify risk factors and yellow or red flags that may indicate an underlying systemic or viscerogenic cause of the client's symptoms or movement dysfunction.
- Yellow or red flags may include a history or cluster of signs and symptoms, such as constant pain, skin lesions, gastrointestinal problems, or digital clubbing.
Role of Screening in Physical Therapy
- Screening is an essential part of the examination process, particularly during the history-taking, systems review, and specific tests and measures.
- The screening process may need to be repeated if the patient/client does not progress in physical therapy or presents with new symptoms.
- Reexamination may be necessary to identify the need for co-management or referral.
Understand the difference between differential diagnosis and screening in physical therapy. Learn about the importance of screening for referral and its role in physical therapy practice.
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