With direct access and lessening contact with the responsible physician, physical therapists need to increase their knowledge with regard to the benefits and pitfalls of common and not-so-common pharmacological agents. Understanding indications, reactions and contraindications better enable the physical therapist to determine the physical therapy intervention.

This seminar will be lecture format with multiple case examples presented for discussion. Topics will include general concepts of pharmacology as applicable to physical therapy, discussion of the classes of commonly used drugs in patients that present to physical therapy practices, including: therapeutic effects; side effects; clinical uses and contraindications. Case examples of drug effect and their impact on physical therapy practice and strategies for communication of the therapist's concerns to the physician will be presented.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this seminar the attendee should be able to: