PHYSICAL THERAPIST A physical therapist has the responsibility to evaluate and develop a plan of exercise routines and goals to be utilized by their hospital patients. To obtain the information required, the physical therapist must interview the patient and other caregivers about their home environment.

Read this case study, about your THR patient. It will enable you to understand what faces your patient after discharge so you can personalize an physical therapy plan of care.

Here are some topics to discuss with your patient.

What surgical approach was used on your patient?

What is the caregivers understanding of the patients physical limitations?

What is the floor plan of the patients residence? Multiple levels? Staircases?

Based on the home environment, what assistive devices may be needed?

Does the caregiver need to be taught to assist the patient or is the patient independent?

Here are some resources to help you develope your plan of care.

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/orthopedicsandpt/p/JointReplace.htm

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/hipkneereplacement/p/hiprehab.htm

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/orthopedicsandpt/qt/HIpReplacement.htm

The role of the therapist is to develop identify the goals and develop a plan of rehabilitative restorative physical therapy to be utilized in the home setting after getting discharged from the sub-acute facility. Prior to discharge from the sub-acute facility, the physical therapist must discuss the developed physical therapy discharge plan for the home setting. 

http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/resources/physicaltherapy.html

http://www.aquaticphysicaltherapy.com/