Physical therapy
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Clinical reasoning refers to the cognitive process or thinking used in the evaluation and management of a patient. In this article, clinical reasoning research and expert-novice studies are examined to provide insight into the growing understanding of clinical reasoning and the nature of expertise. Although hypothetico-deductive methods of reasoning are used by clinicians at all levels of experience, experts appear to possess a superior organization of knowledge. ⋯ Five categories of hypotheses are proposed for physical therapists using a hypothetico-deductive method of clinical reasoning. A model of the clinical reasoning process for physical therapists is presented to bring attention to the hypothesis generation, testing, and modification that I feel should take place through all aspects of the patient encounter. Examples of common errors in clinical reasoning are highlighted, and suggestions for facilitating clinical reasoning in our students are made.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss general treatment guidelines for treating patients with acute burns and to review pathophysiology of acute burn injuries. I will discuss skin composition briefly, give a review of acute burn pathophysiology and medical treatment, outline the psychological factors physical therapists should consider when working with these patients, and discuss physical therapy for the patient with acute burns. Physical therapy for patients with burns has become a specialty as knowledge of burn injuries increases. I have attempted to review physical therapy burn knowledge for inexperienced clinicians beginning to treat patients with acute burns.