John O. Barr

Teaches in professional development, neuroscience and geriatrics-related courses. He is the author of textbook chapters concerned with TENS and pain management for the elderly. Dr. Barr is a former president of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association (IPTA) and Foundation, and received the Olive Farr Distinguished Service Award from the IPTA and the Lucy Blair Service Award from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). He is a past president of the Section on Geriatrics-APTA, on the editorial board of The Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, and co-editor of the Geriatric Rehabilitation Manual.  In 2012, Dr. Barr was recognized as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA.

Education and Training

University of Iowa, Iowa Geriatric Education Center, Iowa City, Iowa
Fellow, 1990

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Exercise Science, Physical Education
Doctor of Philosophy, 1989

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Physical Therapy
Master of Arts, 1980

SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York
Physical Therapy
Bachelor of Science, 1973

 

Current Teaching Responsibilities in the Entry-Level Physical Therapy Program

• DPT 540 Neuroanatomy/Neurophysiology, Lab Instructor, Spring Semester
• DPT 550 Introduction to Physical Therapy, Primary Instructor, Fall Semester
• DPT 570 Physical Agents, Lecturer / Lab Instructor, Spring Semester
• DPT 600 Issues in Patient Care, Lecturer, Fall Semester
• DPT 660 Professional Practice & Health Care Systems, Course Coordinator/Lecturer, Spring Semester
• DPT 705 Critical Inquiry, Advisor for student research projects, Spring Semester 
• DPT 760 PT Procedures II, Course Coordinator, Lecturer and Lab Instructor
• DPT 800 Applied Anatomy & Physiology, Lecturer, Summer Semester
• DPT 810 Advanced Diagnostics, Course Coordinator, Fall Semester
• DPT 815 Advanced Diagnostics, Course Coordinator, Spring Semester
• DPT 830 Medically Complex Patient, Faculty Case Advisor, Summer Semester

 

Areas of Professional Interest

• Geriatrics
• Pain Management

 

Recent Publications and Presentations

Barr JO, Semla T, Wong R. Entry-level multidisciplinary competencies for health professionals caring for older adults. Poster presentation, Combined Sections Meeting, APTA, 2/12.

Ingram DA, Odom C, Gandy J, Thomas N, Barr J, et al. Physical therapy for boomers: Is the academy preparing and motivating students for working with older adults? Panel presentation, Combined Sections Meeting, APTA, 2/12.

Berger S, Barr J, Grus CL, et al. Multidisciplinary standards for the care of older adults:
Domains and competencies. Panel presentation, Gerontological Society of America, Annual Scientific Meeting, 11/11.

Barr JO, Semla T, Wong R. Entry-level multidisciplinary competencies for health professionals caring for older adults in the United States: Implications for physical therapy. Poster presentation. 16th International WCPT Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 2011.

Wong R, Avers D, Barr JO, Ciolek C, Klima D, Thompson M. Recommendations to address the growing physical therapy workforce shortage in geriatrics. Poster presentation. 16th International WCPT Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 2011.

Wong R, Avers D, Ciolek C, Klima D, Thompson M, Barr J. Geriatric Competencies in physical therapy: Preparing for the future. Invited presentation, Combined Sections Meeting, APTA, February 2011.

Barr JO, Optimize Conservative Pain Management in Older Persons, APTA Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, 06/12/09

Barr JO, Ferguson J, Hird K, Koch M, Vaughan J. Instructional style influences pain perception during TENS. Platform presentation. 15th International WCPT Congress, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 06/2007

Kauffman TL, Barr JO, Moran ML (eds). Geriatric Rehabilitation Manual (2nd ed), Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier, Edinburgh, 2007

Barr JO. Conservative interventions for pain control. In: Kauffman TL, Barr JO, Moran ML (eds). Geriatric Rehabilitation Manual (2nd ed), Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier, Edinburgh, 2007

Barr JO. Evaluation of pain in older individuals. In: Kauffman TL, Barr JO, Moran ML (eds). Geriatric Rehabilitation Manual (2nd ed), Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier, Edinburgh, 2007

Barr JO, Kauffman TL, Thompson LV. Iatrogenesis in older individuals. In: Kauffman TL, Barr JO, Moran ML (eds). Geriatric Rehabilitation Manual (2nd ed), Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier, Edinburgh, 2007

Barr JO, Ferguson J, Hird K, Koch M, Vaughan J. Instructional style influences pain perception during TENS. Platform presentation. 15th International WCPT Congress, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 06/2007

 

Honors and Awards

• Catherine Worthingham Fellow, APTA, 2012
• Department of Physical Therapy Hall of Fame, College of Health Professions, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 2006
• Joan Mills Distinguished Service Award, Section on Geriatrics, APTA, 2000
• Lucy Blair Service Award, APTA, 1994
• Olive C. Farr Distinguished Service Award, IPTA, 1989
• Dorothy Briggs Memorial Scientific Inquiry Award, APTA, 1987
• Mary McMillan Scholarship Award (Doctoral), APTA, 1987
• C.H. McCloy Scholarship, PEK, University of Iowa, 1983

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