Topic: Social Determinants of Health

Speaker: Sean Griech, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT

Course Description:
This course will examine the importance of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) specifically for physical therapy practice. Topics that will be explored include basic definitions and components of SDOH as well as concepts of health disparities and health inequities. All of these ideas will be discussed through the underlying lens of ethics, and will directly refer back to the APTA vision and mission statements, as well as the PT code of ethics.

More About the Speaker:
Sean Griech, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, COMT

Dr. Griech serves as an assistant professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at DeSales University in Center Valley Pennsylvania, as well as adjunct assistant professor in the Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Shenandoah University. He earned his BS in physical therapy from Daemen College, a transitional DPT from Shenandoah University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership studies with a focus on community leadership and ethics from Alvernia University. Additionally, Sean is a board certified orthopedic specialist (OCS), a certified orthopedic manual therapist (COMT), and has successfully completed his certificate of competence in Vestibular Rehabilitation from Emory University. He has practiced extensively in outpatient physical therapy, and continues to practice in an outpatient clinic as well as in the university pro bono clinic.

Dr. Griech's research agenda is centered around ethical leadership, with a focus on: (1) the social determinant of health, and (2) examining the factors of burn-out in healthcare. He also directs student research projects in various topics of musculoskeletal differential diagnosis and examination. He has published his work in several peer reviewed journals as well as text book chapters. Additionally, he has presented regionally and nationally on these topics. He also serves as a reviewer for several journals and text book publishers, as well as being very active within the Federal State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). He has held several appointments for the FSBPT, currently as a board elected member of the Exam Development Committee. He has also been honored by the FSBPT by being nominated to the academy of advanced item writers.

Sean is a Lehigh Valley transplant, having grown up in western Pennsylvania. He is a huge fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams, and enjoys cooking, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and three children in his spare time.

Approved for 1 General Contact Hour