MHD August Event: Diagnostic Imaging, Differential Diagnosis, and the Expanding Role of ED PT

Course Description:
As physical therapists continue to expand into direct access, emergency department, and primary care roles, diagnostic imaging is becoming an increasingly important component of safe and effective practice. This course will explore how physical therapists can use diagnostic imaging to support differential diagnosis, clinical reasoning, referral decisions, and patient management.
Using emergency department and orthopedic case studies, this session will review practical imaging concepts relevant to physical therapy practice, including when imaging may be indicated, how to use standardized appropriateness criteria, and how imaging findings can be integrated with patient history and examination. The course will also review evidence supporting PT’s ability to appropriately utilize diagnostic imaging. The goal of this presentation is to encourage physical therapists to become stronger diagnostic stewards. Improved imaging literacy, appropriate ordering practices, and clear interdisciplinary communication can support safer patient care, stronger professional credibility, and continued advancement of physical therapy scope of practice.

Course Objectives:
-Describe how diagnostic imaging can support physical therapist differential diagnosis, medical screening, referral decisions, and patient management.
-Apply a practical imaging stewardship framework to determine when imaging may be indicated, which modality may be most appropriate, and how imagine results should influence clinical decision making.
-Identify common imaging-related pitfalls in physical therapy practice, including over-ordering, under-recognition of red flags, over-reliance on incidental imaging findings, and failure to coordinate appropriate follow-up care.

Mark Magdaleno PT, DPT:
Mark graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2010 with a BS in Exercise Science and earned his DPT from Chapman University, in Southern California, May of 2013. He has worked his entire career in the hospital setting and prides himself in being a generalist. For 13 years, he has managed patients across the continuum of acute care, outpatient therapy, inpatient rehab, and emergency care. With a particular passion for the complex trauma patient population and emergency physical therapy, Mark is interested in practicing at the top of his scope and advancing physical therapy into a prominent role in primary care.

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