Reviewer: Christopher D. Blessing, MS, MPT, OCS, CSCS (Penn Medicine - Princeton Health)
Description: This is a comprehensive atlas depicting the medical, orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, women's health, and vestibular disorders that physical therapists are most likely to encounter in patients in their daily practice.
Purpose: The author discusses the implications of screening and its importance to the future of physical therapy. He notes the necessity of physical therapists screening their current patient caseload based on the fact that they see patients with a variety of disorders and impairments whose functional abilities are ultimately affected.
Audience: The atlas is intended for all levels of clinicians, from students to specialists.
Features: Using a consistent design, the atlas presents each disorder with its synonyms, the ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, preferred practice patterns from the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, and examination and treatment categories for each disorder. A patient presentation, or case study, is included, as are the key features of description, essentials of diagnosis, general considerations of each diagnosis, and demographics. Clinical findings for each disorder, such as signs and symptoms, functional implications, possible contributing causes, and differential diagnoses help clinicians in ruling out other diagnoses. Other methods, such as laboratory tests or imaging results needed to confirm a diagnosis and to rule out other disorders, are detailed. Treatments, including medications and referrals to other healthcare providers are provided. Furthermore, discussion of each disorder encompasses impairments, tests and measures, interventions, functional goals, and prognoses. Finally, patient resources and references are presented.
Assessment: This book provides abundant information from all facets of medicine important for physical therapy practitioners. It is an excellent source of information for therapists and students in training. The numerous figures and photos enhance comprehension and can be shared with patients as well. The book arms readers with ideas regarding physical therapy tests and measures as well as functional goal suggestions that can be immediately used in the clinic.
