Michael Puthoff, PhD, PT

Courses Taught

• Cardiopulmonary Therapeutics
  • This course prepares students for the physical therapy patient/client management of individuals with primary and secondary cardiovascular and pulmonary disease across practice settings and the lifespan. This class builds upon students' current knowledge in prevention of chronic disease, health promotion, anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, electrocardiography, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The connection of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems to the movement system is stressed. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, evidence based practice, and professional behaviors.
• Evidence Based Practice I
  • This course is the first in a four-course series that covers topics relevant to clinical research and the principles of evidence-based practice. This course focuses on developing clinical questions and searching for intervention, diagnostic, and prognostic studies. For each study type, emphasis will be placed on research design, sound measurement principles, statistical tests and how to use the studies to answer clinical questions. A major portion of the course will emphasize the critical appraisal and synthesis of the findings of clinical research.
• Evidence Based Practice III
  • This is the third of a four-part course series designed to progress students' abilities to use evidence-based practice (EBP) for use throughout their careers as physical therapists. Students will apply the knowledge and skills learned from DPT 650, DPT 700 and the movement system, with other sources of evidence, patient preferences/circumstances, and clinical expertise. This course will focus on developing students' skills in the application of various forms of evidence to clinical questions and situations. Specific topics include appraisal, interpretation and application of research evidence regarding diagnosis, prognosis, outcome measures, intervention, qualitative, and cost effectiveness. Students will also develop their skills for synthesizing and communicating research evidence to patients, caregivers, and others through written and verbal communication. An evidence-based practice written assignment will be completed for a real-world patient case.
    
• Clinical Exercise Physiology
  • This course focuses on the principles of health promotion, wellness, population health, and adult fitness applied to physical therapy management. The course incorporates national and international guidelines on wellness and disease prevention, assessment of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease risk factors, behavioral interventions, anatomy & physiology, and exercise testing and prescription. The application of cardiovascular and pulmonary anatomy and physiology and electrocardiography to human movement and physical therapy management is stressed. This course serves as preparation for content in DPT 640.
    
• Physical Therapy Procedures II
  • This course presents current evaluation experiences and intervention topics applicable to selected patient populations and areas of specialty practice in physical therapy. Topics related to the pediatric population include neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric pelvic health, serial casting, educational setting, Early Intervention setting, and orthotic devices specific for pediatric clients. Topics related to geriatrics include psychosocial considerations for older adults and caregivers, functional assessments, exercise prescription, pain management, fall prevention, nutrition, communication, community resources, and treating clients with dementia. Topics related to other specialty practices in physical therapy include industrial rehabilitation, workstation assessment, aquatics, pelvic health, emergency department, home health, assistive technology, and alternative/integrative therapies. It is anticipated that this course will increase students' exposure to a greater variety of topics, skills, and techniques, and facilitate their interest in pursuing future areas of specialized clinical practice.

Honors and Awards