NDPT 7192 - Psychosocial Issues in Health Care

This course explores the psychosocial concepts, theories, and ethical principles essential to recognizing reactions of patients, family, and therapists to disabling disorders and catastrophic illness. Through reading assignments, review of video/movies and ‘active’ class discussion, students are able to explore ‘identity’ and the other essential constructs of ‘self’ as they relate to ‘healthy’ human development across the lifespan. As students recognize their own belief systems, essential psychosocial elements of ‘self’ are then applied to understanding differences and similarities in values, moral and ethical beliefs of various groups of people–across age, race, culture, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. More specifically, attitudes toward persons with disability are discussed with respect to their influence on the physical, psychosocial, and cultural aspects of an individual’s growth and development. Finally, the role of physical therapists, service professions, agencies, and advocacy groups in facilitating adjustment to disability are discussed.

Hours:
3