"The Mission of the University of Miami Department of Physical Therapy, in accordance with the Mission of the School of Medicine is to provide excellence in physical therapist education, to expand evidence-based practice of physical therapy through research, to provide high quality care to all who need it, and to be a community partner."
The individual and collective efforts of all members of the Graduate Programs in Physical Therapy are directed toward the attainment of specific goals and objectives that emanate from the principles expressed in the following philosophic statement:
"Physical therapy is a health profession whose primary purpose is the promotion of optimal human health and function through the application of scientific principles to prevent, examine, evaluate and intervene in order to alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction through evidence-based practice. "
Implicit in the University of Miami Department of Physical Therapy's philosophy is the development and application of the principles and practices of the professional discipline, clinical decision making, education, leadership, management and research. Thus, our graduates are prepared for future professional and societal obligations through providing leadership and contributing to both the growth of the profession, and the clinical research agenda.
The graduate programs in physical therapy at the University of Miami are committed to providing quality educational experiences at two levels: 1) entry into the profession (DPT); 2) preparation of research-oriented academic faculty members (PhD). Both programs have structured learning experiences aimed at enhancing the health of the public, optimizing patient care and promoting research. The faculty of these programs strive to prepare professionals who can effectively carry out the expanding responsibilities of physical therapists as health care providers practicing independently in preventative, evaluative, maintenance, acute care and rehabilitation settings; and in education, consultative and research environments.
The faculty recognize and value the importance of a strong background in basic and applied science and the humanities. All three curricula, therefore, include integration and expansion of knowledge in the sciences, the humanities, and applied science as they apply to physical therapy practice. In order to facilitate the development of attitudes and insights necessary for sustained and continued professional growth, the faculty model the characteristics of critical thinking, therapeutic presence, commitment to research, and tolerance for ambiguity.
|
