Technical Standards
All DPT students and graduates are required to have the requisite capacities and skills in observation, communication, motor abilities, intellect, and behavior to enter and successfully complete the program.
Observation
- Must be able to observe patients closely and at a distance to observe the patient’s condition and complete a patient exam.
- Immediately comprehend and respond to auditory instructions or requests.
Communication
- Effectively obtain, interpret and communicate pertinent information to peers, faculty, patients and the healthcare team.
- Communicate with patients and their families, verbally and in writing, in a clear and effective manner.
- Demonstrate empathy, compassion, and confidentiality in patient communication. Abide by HIPAA and other established laws and policies for healthcare providers.
Motor Skills
- Demonstrate the ability to elicit clinically relevant information during the patient examination process through palpation, auscultation, and percussion.
- Perform diagnostic tests and measures.
- Effectively and efficiently execute movements related to the examination and treatment of patients requiring strength, coordinated movement, equilibrium, and sensation.
- Efficiently move themselves, patients, and equipment between locations in the course of patient care.
- Demonstrate the physical stamina to complete both the didactic and clinical portions of the professional education.
Intellectual Ability
- Demonstrate maturity, empathy and emotional intelligence as well as the ability to problem solve, make sound judgements, and think critically.
- Collect, measure, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate data in a limited time frame.
- Read and understand the medical literature and use this knowledge in problem solving and patient care.
- Read and interpret x-rays and EKG readings.
Behavior
- Understand and apply ethical standards in practice.
- Respond to emergencies in a calm and reasoned manner.
- Develop appropriate interpersonal relationships with peers, patients and their families.
- Function effectively under physical, mental and emotional stress.
- Demonstrate compassion, motivation, integrity, and cultural humility.
- Accept constructive criticism and modify behavior and practice as needed.