The emphasis of this seminar is directed toward the multidisciplinary approach to the management of joint arthroplasty and traumatic extremity fractures. The course combines the medical and surgical and rehabilitative expertise of a nationally known highly trained physical therapist. This rich combination provides participants with a unique opportunity to see the entire spectrum of care for the patient from prevention through treatment.

The course will review the anatomy and biomechanics of the upper and lower extremities with discussion of surgical techniques for hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty and extremity fractures. Critical pathways (i.e. care plans), therapeutic treatment techniques, and rehabilitation protocols will be presented for each of these surgeries. Pre-operative, acute care, and post-discharge concerns will be addressed and examples of a precise therapeutic exercise program within each setting will be presented. Suggested protocols, sample home exercise instruction sheets, and home exercise programs along with evaluation and treatment guidelines will be given, thus providing therapists with information to improve their clinical practice related to joint arthroplasty and extremity fractures.

Creative Rehabilitation and Fitness

Trish Muse, MPT
Cost: $495.00

Many patients are discharged from therapy long before they are prepared for mainstream activity. Often times therapists are not only faced with the challenge of safely and effectively progressing patients exercise programs after discharge, they are also approached to design exercise programs for medically complicated individuals who require specialized expertise. Patients tend to prefer and often need licensed healthcare professionals to design appropriate exercise programs. As baby boomers age and seniors get older it will become more challenging to maintain their current fitness level as well as improve their fitness level. This will require a qualified person to create and supervise exercise programs. The answer to their special needs is the licensed healthcare provider who has the educational foundation coupled with proficient practical skills beyond rehabilitation. After completing this course, participants will be able to assess patients and individuals for participation in maintenance and personal training exercise. Participants will learn how to design and implement exercise programs in group and one on one settings. Some of the latest exercise equipment and techniques will also be presented. Evidence based research will be provided to support the efficacy of assessment tools, exercise techniques presented. Indication and contraindications for exercise and exercise mode will be thoroughly discussed. Additionally, this course will address compliance and motivation. Ideas to encourage and improve communication and learning will be provided as well to facilitate successful outcomes. Therapists will be able to diversify their skill, marketability and recapture and create revenue potential while meeting demands of a complex population. 

Susan Staples, PT, GCS
Cost: $495

This seminar provides participants with specific evaluation and treatment strategies that are critical to improve outcomes for this challenging and rapidly growing patient population. Included are comprehensive strategies for patients with dementia that address gait disorders, balance and falls, ADL’s, mobility, hip fractures, strength/ROM, common eating and nutritional problems, cardiopulmonary and pain issues, seating and positioning, restraints, management of behavioral problems, sensory stimulation, and innovative dementia programs.

Participants will also gain a thorough understanding of the different types of acute and chronic disorders of dementia with specific communication and approach strategies for success. Recent clinical research is included to provide evidence-based guidance on effective evaluation and treatment strategies. The seminar format includes lecture with discussion and hands on practice of evaluation and treatment strategies. Videos of patients with dementia and case studies are used to facilitate the integration of the strategies covered in this comprehensive course. Documentation strategies for successful reimbursement are included for this patient population that is closely reviewed by intermediaries. Challenges in providing care for patients with dementia will be discussed for all settings with innovative solutions.

Wendy K. Anemaet, MS, PT, GCS, ATC, GTC, CWT
Cost: $495.00

This seminar provides therapists with up-to-date information on the often-underutilized intervention of strength training. Through lecture, demonstration and case applications, participants will gain a clear understanding of the basis of strengthening, design and progression of training programs, and special considerations for strength training in the older population. Interactive sessions offer the opportunity to learn and practice specific evaluation techniques for immediate implementation in the practice setting. Forums on specific strengthening exercises allow therapists to share and take home practical exercises for training the upper extremity, lower extremity and trunk with a range of resistive exercise equipment. An analysis of the precautions, contraindications, and program components for patients with a variety of rehabilitation and medical diagnoses provides a literature-based overview of approaches to strength training for these populations. Participants will expand their knowledge to design, implement, evaluate, and modify effective strengthening programs confidently for the older population.

Steven H. Tepper, PhD, PT
Cost: $495.00

This evidenced based course will describe the medical disorders, cover reliable and valid examination tools for understanding the level of impairment/functional limitation and give currently accepted treat ment options. A combination of lecture, continual participant interaction, laboratory of clinical examination and case study approach will be utilized. Utilizing clinical signs/symptoms for progressive rehabilitation interventions and their potential outcomes will be covered. Prevention of these common pathologies will be covered as well.

James C. Wall, BSc, MSc, Med, PhD
Cost: $495

The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with the most up-to-date information on gait and balance assessment and treatment for the geriatric patient. The major changes commonly seen in the elderly, that can contribute to problems in the area of gait and balance and the subsequent loss of independence, will be covered. The seminar format is lecture with demonstration that explores evaluation tools, techniques to objectively measure functional mobility tasks, and treatment protocols designed for older adults. Using a case study format, participants will become familiar with numerous assessment tools to assess gait and balance in patients with a variety of diagnoses. Evidence based treatment strategies and protocols will be covered along with the advantages and disadvantages. The extensive handout, which contains current medical references, will provide detailed evaluation forms, outcome measures, suggested protocols and sample home exercises.

Mark Nelson MS, PT
Cost: $495.00

This seminar provides a current update on the latest information on rehabilitation in the acute care setting. As in all practice settings, acute care rehabilitation is continuously evolving. From the various entry points into the acute care setting to discharge, rehabilitation plays an integral role. Therapists are being relied upon more and more to make significant contributions to the medical team, and frequently are the determining factor in hospital length of stay. This seminar is designed to give clinical information for therapists working in, or returning to working in the acute care setting. In addition, the seminar will offer practical tips and higher level problem solving skills that will benefit therapists working in this setting. The seminar will utilize lecture and case study to discuss the role of physical therapy in the acute care setting. Current literature review will be presented to lend strength to decision making in this challenging environment.

Keiba Shaw, P.T., M.P.T., M.A., E.d.D
Cost: $495.00

The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with the most up-to-date information on evidence based functional assessment and treatment of the geriatric patient. The seminar format is lecture with demonstration and case studies that explores evaluation tools and treatment protocols/ideas designed and most appropriate for older patients with a variety of diagnoses. Information on key functional tools will be presented slowly with many opportunities for practicing and using these tools in the daily practice of rehabilitation. The extensive handout, with numerous current medical references, will provide detailed evaluation forms, outcome measures, treatment techniques, protocols and sample home exercises all which are evidence based.

Dr. Bianca Bass , DPT.
Cost: $495.00

The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with the most up-to date evidence on the rehabilitation of the geriatric patient. The seminar format will be based on continuous interaction between lecture and students’ participation. Students will be given a case study and will have 10 minutes to discuss with their classmates and provide a treatment plan. This will be followed by a short presentation of the disease, complications and contra indications for treatment all of which will be evidenced based. Every case study will be conclude with presentation of the treatment plan, possible reasons for termination of the treatment, comparison with student’s treatment plan, and fi nally presentation of the results. Students will be given a comprehensive handout with current evidence, outcome measures, treatment techniques, protocols and Home Exercise Program sample.

NICOLE L. STOUT MPT, CLT-LANA
Cost: $495.00

This two day course will review diagnosis and staging of cancer. Medical and surgical management of select cancer diagnoses will be reviewed as they are relevant to physical therapists. Emphasis will be on screening and systems review to highlight the need for accurate differential diagnosis for cancer identifi cation and with regard to common impairments and functional limitations in patients who have a history of cancer. Current evidence-based rehabilitation interventions for individuals undergoing treatment for cancer, in survivorship from cancer or facing metastatic disease will be highlighted including exercise prescription, contradictions andprecautions with exercise and modalities. A unique, problem-based format, utilizing case studies will be introduced with group interaction for client evaluation and development of plan of care.

Janene Barber, P.T.
Cost: $495.00

The purpose of this seminar is to provide an inventive look at using the OASIS to guide homecare therapists in developing not only scoring guidelines, but utilizing the OASIS for assessment and treatmentstrategy development. Special techniques will begiven to demonstrate the importance of using assessment tools to aide in the scoring of the OASIS and to facilitate the development of the plan of care. Treatment strategies for the most common homecare diagnoses: Parkinson’s Disease, CVA, frail elderly, balance impairments, cognitive impairments, total joint and fractures will be demonstrated.Participants will learn how to survive the new 2008PPS changes through improved documentation and evidence based care.

Janene Barber, P.T.
Cost: $495.00

Do you feel at times that you have designed and delivered the best gait and balance program and yet your patients still have some problems with their balance?

This course goes beyond all you have learned about the effects of speed, strength and range of motion limitations as causes for balance dysfunction. You will leave with an in depth knowledge and skill in the postural dyscontrol, somatosensation and vestibular arenas. The instructor has taught and treated extensively in this area with astounding results with her patients and clinicians. Her skills in this area are unparralled. Take home innovative useable evaluation and treatment techniques that will dramatically change your practice. You and your patients deserve to receive this cutting edge information.

Carole Schunk , PT, PsyD
Cost: $495.00

Home health is a unique physical therapy practice setting. Not only are there clinical issues but being in the patient’s home environment makes the delivery of service very different than an outpatient or inpatient facility. The purpose of this seminar is to provide participants with both clinical information relevant to those being treated in their home in additional to the psychological aspects of dealing with families and caregivers. The clinical aspect of care will include evaluation tools for balance, function, cognitive ability and environmental hazards, presented to allow the therapist to develop an appropriate plan of care. Research on the effectiveness of a variety of exercise programs in relation to falls, mobility and function will be presented. Social dynamics in the home are very infl uential in patient outcomes and will be discussed through case histories and suitable treatment approaches including motivation and compliance enhancement. Presentation of home modifi cation and adaptive equipment for safety will enhance the therapist’s ability to positively infl uence the decision for an individual to remain in their home. To make it happen reimbursement and regulatory issues will be included as they relate to equipment and measurement of outcomes through appropriate understanding of the OASIS. Given the changes in the population and the trend to keep older adults independent in their home the information presented in this seminar will facilitate therapists intervention in this multi-factorial often complex treatment environment known as home health.

Cost: $295.00

Health Promotion and Exercise for Older Adults is a practical tool for the rehabilitation specialist who would like to plan a health promotion program for older adults. The goal of this course is to teach the rehabilitation professional how to begin, teach, and follow-up on a community based exercise program for older adults.

The manual is divided into three sections: Part I, “Getting Started”; Part II, “Classes”; and Part III, “Special Considerations, Program Evaluation, and Follow-Up.” Each of these sections contains easy to follow recommendations for planning, implementing, and conducting program evaluation on an older adult health promotion program. Part II, “Classes”, contains 27 concise chapters which are each on a different class topic. All of these chapters include a lecture/discussion for each class, specific exercises for each class, and a handout to give class participants for each class.

This home study course is presented in a style and with terminology that can be directly used in all facets of a health promotion program for older adults.

Cost: $295.00

Improving mobility in the older person is designed for the rehabilitation specialist who has focused their career on treating the growing geriatric population. The goal of this course is to assist the therapist in using structured methods of examining the tasks of functional mobility, breaking down the components of movement, and implementing the appropriate treatment where the specific patient deficits are noted. The information for completing the examination is broken down into sections specific to improving mobility of the older person. Each section is part of a continuum to assist in designing a systematic approach to rehabilitation. In addition there are functional testing tools provided to allow for standardized diagnostic measures to implement into your evaluation. These testing tools provide information regarding the patient’s safety and level of function, and allow you to monitor the patients’ progress. There are various tools, each of each appropriate for one of multiple patient populations. It is our hope that after completion of this course you will be able to appropriately evaluate the limitations in function of the older adult and design an implement the most beneficial treatments. You will also have the tools to monitor your patient’s progress by using functional and valid tools of measurement.

Cost: $295.00

This is a comprehensive course, based on the reference book, Aging: The Health-Care Challenge by Carole Bernstein Lewis, PhD, PT, GCS, MSG, MPA. Dr. Lewis is well-known in the field of geriatrics as being one of the leaders in education and research, being extensively published, President of Physical Therapy Services of Washington, DC, Inc, editor of several geriatric rehabilitation publications, and founder of and featured lecturer for GREAT Seminars and Books, Inc. In this home study course, the participants will have the opportunity to study the included reference book at home and at their own pace. This excellent reference text, currently in its fourth edition, covers a wide variety of topics that are directly applicable to clinical practice, and is a must-read for any rehabilitation professional involved in the field of geriatrics. It is divided into three sections: Part I, “Theories and Psychological Aspects of Aging”; Part II, “Physical Aspects of Aging”; and Part III, “External Aspects of Aging: The Current Status.” Each of these sections contain clinically-centered chapters, written by experts in the specific area of gerontology. These chapters describe normal and pathological changes, as well as examination and intervention strategies frequently utilized in geriatric rehabilitation. An hour is allotted for each of the 20 chapters.

Cost: $295.00

Documentation and Functional Assessment are the present and future tools of the rehabilitation specialist. As the public and third party payers question the efficacy and cost effectiveness of rehabilitation, appropriate documentation will become more important. The goal of this course is to provide immediate, useful information to the rehabilitation professional that can be used in any setting. The purpose is not to increase the written workload of the professional, but rather to promote a more concise and succinct use for functional tools and documentation. This course also explains the appeal process and provides the opportunity to prepare and defend a case. The participant will complete the home study course with skills for preparing concise and complete notes that will promote reimbursement and improved patient care as well as arm them to defend themselves in the unfortunate event of a denial. The presentation style will help the participant to improve clinical skills by practicing and describing evaluation findings and treatment strategies. This course incorporates the latest in federal and state regulations related to the reimbursement in a home study format. This engaging course in corporates homestudy with a strong foundation of skills for preparing reports that will promote reimbursement and improved patient care. The homestudy information is presented in a style that will help the participant to improve clinical skills by means of practicing and describing clinical strategies.

Home Study -
Creative Rehabilitation and Fitness

Cost: $295.00

This course enhances and expands clinical skills in the areas
of group exercise, maintenance program ming and personal
training.

An innovative and multi-dimensional expansion of clinical
skills to high level rehabilitation and the well patient population
includes:

• Home exercise programs
• Group exercise protocols
• Creative treatment progressions
  and techniques
• Detailed evaluation forms
• Reliable and valid outcome measures