Division of Physical Therapy

Mission and Goals

Mission
Recognizing the needs of the state of West Virginia and the mission of the Health Sciences education system, the Division of Physical Therapy works to educate individuals who demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behavior consistent with professional excellence. Working as part of a community of professionals, we strive to advance autonomous practice characterized by independence, self-determination, professional judgment, and action. The Division of Physical Therapy works to optimize physical and functional abilities of those we serve through participation in scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and teaching.

Program Goals
Our goals are to graduate physical therapy practitioners who:

1. Deliver high quality physical therapy services to individuals and communities across a continuum of care, including rural settings
2. Demonstrate sound, independent clinical decisions utilizing information literacy, critical thinking skills, and scientific evidence
3. Serve as autonomous providers who are responsive and adaptable to the scope of physical therapy practice
4. Function as a unique member of the health care team, including receiving and providing appropriate referrals
5. Adhere to core professional values as well as established ethical and legal guidelines
6. Provide culturally sensitive care distinguished by advocacy, trust, respect, and an appreciation for individual differences
7. Commit to evidence-based practice through ongoing assessment and application of new knowledge
8. Possess basic and applied research skills characterized by discovery and dissemination of new knowledge
9. Demonstrate a commitment to the health of the community through participation in primary and secondary prevention programs
10. Commit to improving the quality of life of those we serve

Core Values
EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, DEDICATION, RESPECT, PERSONAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, EMPATHY

Program Philosophy
In keeping with our mission and to achieve the program’s goals, the Division of Physical Therapy upholds the following beliefs:

• All people have the right to access quality health care, be treated with integrity, compassion, and respect, and make decisions regarding their own well-being.
• Physical therapists should deliver optimum services, be adaptable to different community settings across the lifespan, across a continuum of care, and in a changing health care environment.
• Learning processes that promote optimal physical therapy practice have many facets and are embodied in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. Critical thinking and the ability to deal with ambiguity need to be fostered. The physical therapist’s commitment to learning is life-long, is reflected in changes in behavior, and is both a personal and professional responsibility.
• Recognizing physical therapy as both an art and a science, the opportunity should be provided throughout the professional educational curriculum to develop appropriate skills that permit students to investigate, analyze, and make decisions about quality physical therapy practice.
• Effective communication skills are inherent in the ability to function well in a variety of interactive environments and need to be taught and fostered throughout the curriculum sequence.
• Physical therapists should exemplify the values of compassion, caring, and empathy in service. The physical therapist should serve as an advocate for causes related to improving the social health of our society while respecting diverse individuals, cultures, beliefs, and value systems.
• Physical therapists should demonstrate a high standard of professional behavior, ethical, and legal conduct.

Anticipated Outcomes

1. Graduates will demonstrate basic and applied knowledge necessary to practice PT as a member of the health care team in diverse settings.
2. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to make sound clinical decisions using information literacy, critical thinking, and scientific evidence.
3. Graduates will find employment with special emphasis on meeting the needs of the citizens of West Virginia.
4. Graduates will adhere to core professional values.
5. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to practice independently.
6. Graduates will adhere to legal and ethical standards.
7. Graduates will contribute to the profession by demonstrating activity in professional organizations, scholarly activity, and pro bono and advocacy services.