Primary Care Physical Therapy

About this Certificate Program

This advanced certificate program equips physical therapists with the tools needed to succeed in primary care environments by emphasizing diagnostic acumen, systems-based screening, and appropriate referral practices. Built around a five-course series, this program empowers clinicians to identify and interpret red flags, evaluate patient stability, and assess systems—including neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, bone, neoplasm, and autoimmune. Through clinically grounded frameworks and real-world cases, therapists will enhance their confidence and capability in managing undifferentiated conditions and collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary care models.

Target audience

This certificate program is designed for physical therapists operating in direct-access environments.

Goals & objectives

• Define the philosophy and clinical scope of primary care physical therapy, including key frameworks for diagnostic thinking and referral

• Conduct systems-based screening with a focus on neurological function, including the HINTS protocol, VOMS assessment, and concussion indicators

• Identify signs of cardiovascular and pulmonary instability, including heart failure symptoms and respiratory compromise, and apply clinical decision-making frameworks for appropriate referral

• Recognize red flags associated with endocrine, skeletal, and neoplastic conditions, using evidence-based screening tools such as fracture prediction algorithms and the IFOMPT framework

• Differentiate autoimmune presentations such as axial spondyloarthritis, lupus, and early multiple sclerosis from mechanical symptoms to inform triage and care direction