PT & OT Connection: Continuing Education for Therapists

Untreated edema can lead to more severe problems such as stasis dermatitis, discomfort/pain, venous ulcerations, progressed lymphedema and decreased mobility. By recognizing and intervening early, we as clinicians can make a significant impact on quality of life for our clients and possibly prevent the progression of this disease. Through improving your assessment skills at the bedside, you can empower your patients to make a significant change in the trajectory of their livelihood. Clinicians that are involved in rehabilitative medicine are a critical piece to guiding their patients to add wellness into their lifespan and demonstrate the impact early intervention can make in our clients’ lives. This course will aim to improve the bedside assessment skills of edema, give practical intervention guidance and guide the clinician on specialist referral needs. Through step-by-step descriptions, this education aims to be applicable immediately after learning for edema assessment, interventions and goal setting. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Clinicians-OTs, PTs, and assistants-did not go to therapy school to learn to write notes; unfortunately, clinical documentation is an essential part of every OT or PT visit. Anecdotal evidence and observation suggest that many therapists are documenting how they learned in school, whether that was 1 or 20 years ago. This course explores the current requirements of maintenance therapy. Clinicians will explore the art and science of compliant clinical documentation in the current therapy world. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

The Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model seeks to achieve four key objectives. 1) Improve the quality and efficiency of home health care 2) Improve the patient’s experience with care 3) Strengthen the patient’s physical function 4) Address the patient’s health issues before they require an ED visit. In 2025, CMS is launching an expanded Home Health Value-Based program to better compare provider quality and streamline the reporting process. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Obesity is a leading risk factor for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal disorders, with over 40% of adults in the U.S. affected. This podcast focuses on Bariatric Assessment and Treatment in Rehabilitation, equipping rehab professionals with the essential tools and knowledge to provide effective, individualized care for bariatric patients. Through evidence-based strategies, you will learn how to assess physical limitations, design tailored rehabilitation plans, and manage the unique challenges bariatric patients face during recovery. Enhance your expertise in optimizing functional outcomes and improving the overall quality of life for individuals undergoing bariatric surgery or managing obesity-related health concerns. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

The Acromioclavicular (AC) joint is involved in approximately 40% of all shoulder injuries. The understanding of Its function and contributions to movements of the shoulder are limited despite being such a prevalent component of shoulder injuries. This course will discuss the relevant anatomy and biomechanics of the AC joint. It will discuss common pathologies seen in injuries and dysfunctions of this joint. Our discussion will also review the current evidence to provide the rehab practitioner with clinically relevant tools to help manage these patients. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

On January 1, 2017 new Common Procedural Codes Terminology or CPT codes were formerly introduced for physical and occupational therapy evaluations. CPT, authored by the American Medical Association, aims to provide uniform language for health care professionals to code medical services. The goal is to streamline reporting, and to increase efficacy. The decision to modify evaluation coding came about after careful deliberation with AOTA, APTA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, other insurers and other key stakeholders. Why is this change a huge win for PT and OT professionals? It allows us to capture the complexities of the patients you work with every day in practice. Prior to 2017 all evaluations were coded the same, regardless of the time, effort, and critical thinking skills needed by the therapist to perform the service. Now that we have coding options, how do we know which evaluation code to choose? And why does it even matter? Data is being compiled and could result in increased reimbursement in the near future. Therefore, PTs and OTs are charged with the responsibility of using critical thinking to select a code that accurately reflects the complexity of the evaluation. This course will discuss the dos and don’ts of complexity code selection and several reasons why it is important to choose correctly; including ethical and legal considerations. Several case examples will be provided to integrate theory into practice, as well as a Complexity Code Selection Guide. Return to the clinic ready to code confidently and accurately every time. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Discover the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on healthcare in this engaging course designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers. Examine how AI is reshaping therapy practices, from personalized patient care to treatment planning, including the use of motion analysis and practice analysis metrics. From understanding existing AI tools to envisioning their future implications, attendees will delve into the dynamic landscape of AI in rehab. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

In the US, there are over 150,000 lower extremity amputations each year, adding up to 300-500 amputations per day. Over half of amputations are due to vascular causes, and those who experience this type of amputation are at higher risk for various complications, including higher mortality rates. Given these statistics, it is of optimal importance for us as rehabilitation professionals to take on a multifaceted approach from the beginning, and focus on giving our patients the tools to continue on with healthy habits and continued mobility when they leave our care. Physical and Occupational therapy professionals play an integral role in improving the lives and outcomes of those who have experienced lower extremity amputation, and through this podcast you will learn some valuable information for your toolkit to improve functional success when working with this population. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Patients with dementia can certainly benefit from rehabilitation as much as adults without dementia. Rehabilitation clinicians need to best understand how to implement the treatment strategies and interventions suited to maximize engagement and adherence in those with these challenging conditions. This podcast is an expansion of Dr. Dawson’s podcast; “Evidence-Based Rehabilitation in Dementia Care: Using Strengths to Facilitate Optimal Outcomes” and spends more time elucidating the treatment strategies and techniques designed to improve communication and enhance participation with patients having Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Accurate OASIS coding is essential for all home health clinicians due to the direct impact quality indicators will have on an agency’s star rating. With the CMS plan to move to a universal outcome measure for all post-acute settings, OASIS will become an important tool beyond home health. Payment through PDGM and PDPM are driven, at least in part, by improvement as measured through OASIS. This course will provide easy-to-use and understandable methods that will improve a clinician’s ability to provide correct coding to all OASIS M1800 items and compare them to the OASIS GG items. This podcast will provide sample questions throughout the course to ensure the participant’s understanding. Clinicians conducting OASIS assessments will immediately see an improved understanding of accurate OASIS coding, as will those participating in collaborative assessments now allowed by CMS. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

This podcast dives into the essentials of sensory integration therapy in an approachable manner. We will examine practical techniques, share insightful tips, and discuss real-life case studies to help you enhance your skills and confidence in working with children. Whether you're a seasoned therapist or just starting, this podcast provides valuable nuggets of wisdom to support you in creating meaningful therapeutic experiences for your young clients. Tune in and let's embark on this enriching journey together! To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Similar to when the internet was budding, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, and developing an early understanding of avenues and limitations will help enhance the administration and management of AI in rehabilitation. Both the APTA (Stevens-Lapsley, 2023) and AOTA (Reynolds, 2023) have commented on the need for the inclusion of AI topics in clinical research as this technology is already deeply embedded in healthcare research and applications. This podcast will uncover current evidence-based uses of AI in the planning and directing of clinical activities while highlighting the administration and management of AI scope in the rehabilitation professions. Developing an understanding of where we are and where we are going is critical for the application of AI to promote best-practice approaches to care and achieve functional outcomes in occupation-based practice. This course will explore the current climate of artificial intelligence application in the administration and management of therapy services. Clinicians will develop an understanding of these applications and the implications for current practices. By exploring the latest research on best-practice approaches to AI in healthcare, clinicians will be able to better plan for the application of AI into practice, be a voice for directing AI in their organizations, and maximize evidence-based AI approaches to facilitate patient outcomes in functional, activity-based plans of care. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

There is a current shortage of healthcare faculty in the United States. This problem was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be a major issue in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing to name a few. With shortages of healthcare workers skyrocketing, there is added pressure to try to bring forward more qualified graduates to meet this need. Colleges must figure out how to adapt to reach this need and one such option is the integration of virtual reality (VR) technologies within curriculums. VR has the potential to reach greater numbers of learners while also taking patient simulations to the next level. This podcast will discuss what VR is and what it can do for PT and OT education. The technology is already here, are you ready? To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

When it was released in 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” developmental milestone checklists omitted crawling as a developmental milestone and has since been debated among pediatric PTs in the United States. Creeping on all fours has long been a goal used by physical and occupational therapists to increase a child’s locomotion and progress their gross motor skills in route to standing and walking. This course will address the shift in screening recommendations and provide a rationale for clinical decision-making. In addition, information will be provided on the impacts of not crawling, components needed for crawling, and hands-on ideas for teaching this skill. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Research on the short- and long-term effects of concussions has evolved significantly in the past decade. Rehabilitation professionals are often part of the medical professionals who help individuals recover from these injuries. The recognition of concussions in populations from athletes to geriatrics and specifically how to treat the signs and symptoms of concussions is a key skill set. This course will talk about concussions and specifically discuss one of the most common symptoms of dizziness in the concussed patient. We will talk about the potential causes of dizziness and how to evaluate and treat these causes by using research and clinical examples. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Research shows that exercise is the best treatment for osteoporosis, but not all exercise is the same. Scientists agree that weight-bearing activities are the best types of exercise for osteoporosis. However, there are more specific activities that can enhance bone mineral density growth in a greater pattern. This podcast will cover the latest in research treatment and exercise techniques for developing well-balanced osteoporosis programs with your patients. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Often, patients and referring providers are asking clinics if they offer dry needling. Providers and patients are looking for non-pharmacological ways to reduce pain and enhance function. In many cases, therapists want to offer it but need more education before spending hours and money on additional training. This course will give you an overview of dry needling, weigh the potential benefits/mechanisms of effectiveness, and help you decide if it is right for your practice. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Therapists working in school-based environments are faced with complex caseloads, multiple areas they are expected to address for each child, and challenges of providing services to children with specialized needs. Therapy services in schools continue to be influenced by several factors, including legislative mandates, state and local policies and procedures, personnel availability, court rulings, and research on the effectiveness of different approaches for assisting students with disabilities to access and benefit from educational programs. These changes require school-based professionals to utilize and incorporate evidence-based practice in their choices for assessment and intervention strategies. This podcast will summarize the recent evidence in school-based rehab specific to best practices of school-based occupational and physical therapy. You will return to your school practice with updated information for evidence-based practice in school-based therapy. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here. The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Every second of every day, an older adult suffers a fall in the U.S. Three million people are hospitalized each year because of falls and fall-related injuries. 40% of hospital admissions are a result of falls. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury and account for 95% of hip fractures. Falls are also the leading cause of death from injury in older adults in the U.S. Based on the statistics above, it is very clear why therapists, and the healthcare community, are very concerned about balance, falls, and fall prevention. This podcast will focus on treatment techniques that improve engagement of balance strategies to reduce fall risk and improve the safety and independence of your patients. Therapists and other healthcare professionals who provide interventions to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls are at the forefront of the fall prevention landscape; and are in a premier position to improve the quality of life, and in many cases extend the lives of people across the U.S. As practitioners, we should take this role very seriously and utilize the most effective strategies to promote change in these areas. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please Click here The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently imposed stringent guidelines for screen time. New clinical case studies have found that many young children who spend too much time watching screens display symptoms of autism. When parents take away the screens for a few months, the child’s symptoms disappear. Considering this information, what are the changes we see in the developing brain when exposed to electronic screens? How much is too much? In this course, clinicians will learn the risk factors and effects of screen time on the growing brain, understand the term “virtual autism,” and learn effective treatment strategies to remediate or prevent these issues. This course will help participants educate their clients about this information, change treatment methodologies, prevent negative consequences of screen time, and treat symptoms quicker, and more effectively. This workshop will use effective teaching methods to give learners hands-on strategies to incorporate into their practice setting. To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please Click here The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.