Understanding Decubitus Ulcers

This course defines decubitus ulcers and also includes statistics, prevalence, pathophysiology, risk factors, stages, prevention, treatment, psychosocial assessment, and patient education.

Screening for Medical Conditions and Adverse Drug Reactions

Designed for therapists with limited background or training in screening techniques, this course describes how to screen patients for serious pathology and adverse drug reactions. The course discusses how to take a more effective patient history and develop a patient's risk factor profile, and how to determine whether preliminary findings warrant communication with the patient's physician. The therapist will be able to increase the specificity of their screening techniques and more accurately identify patients in need of medical referrals while reducing the number of unnecessary referrals.

Recognizing and Managing Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults

Millions of older Americans are afflicted with some form of cognitive disorder . This introductory-level course will assist those working with older adults to distinguish between delirium, dementia, and depression. Professionals who work with older adults and their families in various settings, including primary and tertiary care; acute and long-term care; and institutional, home-based, or community-based settings will benefit from the range of considerations that must be addressed to better understand the presentation, assessment, and management of symptoms and behavioral manifestations in older persons with cognitive disorders.

Post Polio Syndrome - Assessment, Diagnosis, Treatment

This course describes the risk factors for post polio syndrome and lists the more common signs and symptoms of PPS (post-polio syndrome). Possible causes of post polio syndrome and diagnostic criteria are examined. Current treatment approaches for PPS and health professional specialties that PPS patients may be referred to are included. The course describes an exercise regimen for PPS, gives its rationale, and lists the precautions related to exercise. The factors that contribute to the expression of muscle and joint pain in PPS patients are listed. Reasons PPS is often misdiagnosed are included.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

This course includes the pathophysiology, etiology, risk factors, and pathology of osteoarthritis of the knee. It discusses the diagnostic procedures including the criteria for classification, history, physical examination, imaging, and laboratory tests. Goals of management and treatment are presented including physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacology, surgical alternatives, self-help programs, and non-traditional alternatives.

Osteoarthritis of the Hip

This course discusses the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the suggested etiologies and risk factors relating to osteoarthritis of the hip, the signs and symptoms of OA of the hip, and the pathology of OA of the hip. The course identifies the management goals for the patient with osteoarthritis of the hip, diagnostic evaluation, and describes the therapeutic roles of the physical therapist and the occupational therapist in the management of a patient with osteoarthritis. Treatment modalities and considerations relating to surgery for hip OA are also discussed.

Off the Cuff: Rotator Cuff Injury and Recovery

This course provides rehabilitation professionals with a comprehensive overview of rotator cuff injuries and examines medical treatment options, physical therapy interventions, and surgical approaches to the problem. The course reviews relevant shoulder anatomy, examines possible causes of shoulder pain ranging from degenerative changes to multidirectional instability, describes treatment techniques commonly used in management of the disorder, discusses areas in need of further research, and lists relative indications and complications relating to rotator cuff surgery.

Ethical Practices with Older Adults

Advances in medical technologies are leading to increasingly complex end-of-life choices. This introductory-level course presents ethical issues that may confront behavioral health and healthcare professionals working with older adults, and their families, as these individuals near the end of life. The course identifies some of the major ethical issues concerning older adults and healthcare decisions, and provides the framework and set of principles used to address ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings. This course includes relevant material from the NASW, APA, ACA, and ANA codes of ethics for clarification on the various professions' priniciples.

Ethical Issues in Children's Health Care

This introductory-level course explores the ethical dilemmas arising from healthcare decisions involving children and adolescents. It examines the potentially conflicting interests and wishes of children and their parents and families. An ethical decision making model offers the clinician guidance in framing difficult questions and balancing rights and responsibilities. Confidentiality, sexuality, violence and medications are addressed. This thought-provoking course provides guidance and resources for occupational therapists in a broad range of settings.

Wound Care - Healing Stages & Treatment Modalities

This course provides an overview of the important aspects and issues for therapists who must deal with an adult patient who has or is at risk for obtaining a wound or a pressure ulcer (also known as a pressure sore, bed sore, or decubitus ulcer). The healing stages of a wound and factors that interfere with healing are explained. Risk factors for development of infection and pressure ulcers are discussed. The course lists ways in which physical and occupational therapists can prevent pressure ulcers in their high risk patients and treatment modalities commonly used to treat patients with skin wounds and pressure ulcers.

Understanding Pain

This course deals with pain, its perception, factors hampering pain management, the proper assessment of a patient in pain, and pain treatments. Pain intensity instruments that are easily adapted to the clinical setting are discussed. Pain treatment methods commonly used in the rehabilitation setting and methods that help control anxiety and pain are identified. The course also describes what a pain management plan depends on and lists factors affecting pain attitudes.

Understanding Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is an advanced form of body work that strives to address the cause and origin of pain in the neuroskeletal system, not just the effects of the pain. Specific scientific neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system initiates pain responses in the body will be explored. The student will learn how these systems produce the pain responses in the body, then will be guided to develop a treatment plan with client-based goals and needs. The course is applicable to a multidisciplinary group of students in order that this educational process can be used to achieve structural balance in the body and recognize weaknesses in many clinical settings.

Traumatic Brain Injury

More than one million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. each year and about five million Americans have long term disabilities as a result of them. This course presents an overview of Traumatic Brain Injury and describes essential patient care and management from the acute through the rehabilitation phase.

Total Hip Arthroplasty: Surgery and Rehabilitation

This course provides rehabilitation professionals with a comprehensive review of hip replacement surgery, from the preoperative period to postoperative recovery, and highlights the latest evidence-based research examining effective treatment measures and therapeutic outcomes relating to hip replacement surgery. The learner will discover the most recent advances in surgical approaches for hip replacements and gain an improved understanding of how different types of prosthetic implants, methods of fixation, and surgical techniques influence the ability of patients to participate in rehabilitation and achieve the desired clinical goals for functional independence.

Smoking Cessation - A Guide

This course details health hazards of tobacco use including cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking demograhics and state specific prevalence of smoking adults are also cited. The course also incudes chemical nicotine, replacement products, other drug therapy, patient recommendations for smoking cessation, and comparisons of six month quit rates. A listing of withdrawal symptoms and a pharmacological product guide are also included.

Sleep Apnea

This course describes the sleep apneas and its signs and symptoms, lists the methods of diagnosis, and states the causes. The course examines the major complications that can result from untreated sleep apnea. The course includes a special section discussing the differences in sleep apnea problems in the elderly.

Sickle Cell Anemia

This course provides a basis for understanding this genetic disorder of hemoglobin that affects mainly people of African, middle Mediterranean, Arabian, East Indian, Caribbean, South American and Hispanic descent. The course includes background material about the genetic factors, diagnosis, treatment, and living with chronic pain. The role of the social worker in helping individuals and families cope with this disorder is emphasized.

Shoulder Impingement - Diagnosis & Treatment

This course discusses pathology, signs, symptoms, and common impingement provocation tests. Diagnostic testing, treatment rationale, individuals at high risk for shoulder impingement, surgical intervention, and a case study is also included.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Diagnosis, Treatment & Rehabilitation

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating, systemic autoimmune disease that results in the inflammation of joints and joint linings, and also may affect internal organs and vascular systems. Typically, rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints of the wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, or feet. Over time joint pain, swelling, and stiffness can result in significant problems with mobility, the ability to work, and quality of life. The focus of this course is to explore management of rheumatoid arthritis in the older patient and to understand the pivotal role that physical and occupational therapists play in helping rheumatoid arthritis patients manage painful symptoms and maintain function independence.

Principles of Ethics in Elder Care

This course describes ethics in elder healthcare including do-not-resuscitate orders, patient and family and healthcare practitioner attitudes toward DNR orders, conflict between religious convictions and clinical judgment. This course also includes information regarding euthanasia and the terminally ill, ethics of dignity in the elderly, and truth-telling and patient diagnoses.This course describes ethics in elder healthcare including do-not-resuscitate orders, patient and family and healthcare practitioner attitudes toward DNR orders, conflict between religious convictions and clinical judgment. This course also includes information regarding euthanasia and the terminally ill, ethics of dignity in the elderly, and truth-telling and patient diagnoses.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Overview

Various events may be considered traumatic stressors, including combat experiences, sexual assault, accidents, natural disasters, and violent crime. Most individuals exposed to traumatic stressors do not develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the high incidence of trauma exposure in the United States necessitates routinely assessing individuals for the presence of traumatic experiences and symptoms of PTSD . This course provides essential information regarding PTSD including diagnostic criteria, etiology, incidence, and effective therapeutic treatment methods. However, because not everyone exposed to an extremely stressful event develops PTSD, the course also describes resiliency and risk factors related to the development of PTSD.

Phobic Disorders

This course defines and identifies the prevalence of phobic disorders. The author differentiates between agoraphobia, social phobia, and specific phobia. DSM IV - TR diagnostic criteria is used to identify phobic disorders in case scenarios. Physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions are listed in the assessment of clinical symptoms. Several etiologies of phobic disorders are discussed with emphasis placed on four major theories. Medical treatments such as behavioral therapy, cognitive - behavioral therapy, as well as psychotherapy are described. Medications and medication management are addressed. The importance of teaching client/family coping skills in a healthy and encouraging manor is emphasized.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder of nerve cells in the basal ganglia of the brain that results in a resting tremor, rigidity, slowed movements, and postural instability. This course cites the prevalence of Parkinson's Disease in the general population. The primary symptoms and clinical features that are characteristic of Parkinson's are identified. A description of the medical and lifestyle treatment approaches and the role of the rehabilitation professional for individuals with Parkinson's disease are included. The course describes the prognosis for individuals with this debilitating disease.

Pain - Nonpharmacological Management

This course discusses the historical perspective of pain management from ancient to modern times including cognitive, psychological and emotional factors that must be considered in pain management. It explains the differences between acute, subacute, recurrent acute, and chronic pain as well as interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary pain management approaches. It indicates how to develop goal-setting and treatment planning objectives and become conversant with the concept of patient responsibility in pain management problem solutions. The course includes social support issues relevant to pain management and demonstrates an understanding of the coping skills necessary in management of chronic pain.

Osteoarthritis of the Hand & Wrist

This course discusses the diagnosis of osteoarthritis including criteria for classification, history, physical examination, radiology, and laboratory tests. Goals of management and treatment modalities including pharmacology, surgery, alternative treatment methods, and investigational strategies are examined. The course also presents assessment techniques including the composite compression test.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Diagnosis & Treatment

Myofascial pain syndrome can be a painful, fatiguing, and debilitating condition that significantly affects quality of life. This course identifies the diagnostic criteria and clinical features and symptoms for myofascial pain syndrome. Possible risk factors and etiology of myofascial pain syndrome are listed. The course explains how other medical dignoses including fibromyalgia may be mistaken for myofascial pain syndrome. Treatment goals and physical therapy treatment approaches for the patient are identified.

Multiple Sclerosis - Diagnosis, Treatment & Rehabilitation

The major pathophysiology and symptoms of multiple sclerosis are described in this course. Methods used to diagnose multiple sclerosis and current medications used in its treatment are listed. The different forms of multiple sclerosis are identified. The physical and occupational therapy treatment techniques that may be used for patients and the effects of exercise on patients with multiple sclerosis are discussed. The course lists energy conservation and work simplification strategies for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multidimensional Health Assessment of the Older Adult

This course helps healthcare professionals better understand and assess the psychological and social health of older adults. The course offers a comprehensive psychosocial and spiritual approach to geriatric assessment and provides information on cultural competency and special clinical considerations for interviewing an older adult.

Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This course highlights the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic studies, diagnoses, interventions, and collaborative care utilized in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Management of Multiple Sclerosis

This course identifies the pathophysology of multiple sclerosis, the physiological and psychological effects of MS on patients, and those people at risk for multiple sclerosis. Several methods are listed for diagnosing MS. The course explains how to distinguish between the drugs used to manage multiple sclerosis and the various management techniques used for MS patients.

Intimate Partner Violence: An Overview

Intimate partner violence (IPV) includes physical and sexual violence as well as economic and psychological harm. It occurs in different relationships and settings. This course presents clear descriptions of this multi-faceted problem and sensitizes the learner to the impact of IPV on the individual and community. The course addresses the different forms of IPV, risk factors and consequences, assessment and intervention strategies, and prevention. Confidentiality, reporting requirements, and documentation are discussed.

HIPAA and Who it Affects

This course was written to explain the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This law addresses a number of healthcare issues, including data transmission and protection, fraud and abuse, and insurance portability. It was designed to safeguard patient privacy while, among other things, make it easier and faster for providers to process insurance claims and get reimbursed.

H1N1 Flu: Implications for Healthcare Professionals 2nd edit

H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) is a pandemic. This course provides essential information for recognizing and treating patients infected with the H1N1 flu. It also highlights infection control and prevention measures for use in the home and healthcare settings- including how to protect yourself.

Geriatrics - Home Health Care & the Rehabilitation Professio

The need for home health care is on the rise due to the aging of the American population, advances in medical technology that allows health care delivery in the home, and changing hospital discharge practices. This course describes the differences between skilled and support home health care services and which health professionals might be involved in delivering skilled home health care services. The criteria that determine Medicare eligibility for home health care services are defined. This course explains the roles of the physical therapist and the occupational therapist in the management of a home health care patient.

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome

This course identifies the anatomical structures involved in frozen shoulder syndrome and the components of a comprehensive physical examination of the patient with shoulder pain. The course discusses the etiology and incidence of frozen shoulder syndrome and the difference between this syndrome and other shoulder dysfunctions. Prevention strategies, physical therapy techniques appropriate to the treatment of frozen shoulder syndrome, and available medical treatment options are also listed.

Ethics - Problematic Issues and Decision Making

This course helps to prepare healthcare providers for situations they may encounter in their professions that have an ethical component. It introduces basic ethical theory and key terms used in medical ethics. The course has a primary goal of emphasizing practical approaches to identifying and dealing with ethical problems. It lists and defines elements of ethics and specifically defines healthcare ethics as it is applied in clinical settings. It gives two case scenarios and provides a discussion for why certain decisions are made by clinicians.

Epicondylitis - Lateral & Medial

Epicondylitis, also known as "tennis elbow", "golfer's elbow", and "epitirochlear bursitis" is a common type of overuse injury of the elbow. This course includes the etiology and risk factors for the patient with lateral or medial elbow epicondylitis and identifies the anatomical structures involved with this injury. Distinguishing between lateral and medial epicondylitis and other elbow dysfunctions is discussed. The course lists the components of a comprehensive physical examination of the patient with elbow pain as well as the medical tests and treatment options available for patients diagnosed with epicondylitis. Prevention and physical therapy treatment of epicondylitis are also included.

Elbow Injuries in the Throwing Athlete Part 2

This course is the second part of a two-part series devoted to elbow injuries specific to the overhead-throwing athlete. Part II describes rehabilitation programs for specific injuries based on recent scientific literature and evidence-based treatment of the throwing athlete. The course explains the symptoms and conservative treatment rehabilitation program for ulnar neuropathy, the postoperative phases of rehabilitation associated with ulnar nerve transposition, and the conservative rehabilitation for injury to the ulnar collateral ligament. The stages of osteochondritis dissecans are identified and valgus extension overload is defined.

Elbow Injuries in the Throwing Athlete Part 1

This course is a two-part series devoted to elbow injuries specific to the overhead-throwing athlete. This part gives an overview of anatomy and describes common clinical examination techniques for the overhead-throwing athlete with elbow injuries. The course describes the functional relationships of the various joints of the elbow, the major muscle groups that guide movement patterns at the elbow, biomechanics of the throwing motion that affect the elbow, and the importance of the inert structures surrounding the elbow joint.

Dual Diagnosis - Mental Illness & Substance Abuse

This course provides information on the etiology, manifestations, classifications, and assessment of dually diagnosed clients. Included are barriers to treatment, disorder-specific assessment and interventions, and integrative treatment.

Diagnosis, Treatment & Management of Fibromyalgia

This course defines and describes the incidence of fibromyalgia in the general population. It identifies the diagnostic criteria, clinical features, symptoms, and aggravating and relieving factors of fibromyalgia. The role of the health care team is identified, treatment approaches are described, and the prognosis for the individual with fibromyalgia is explained. Additional resources available to the individual with fibromyalgia are listed.

Depression in Older Adults

This course reviews the causes of depression among older adults and primary types of depressive disorders in this age group. The course provides information on assessment and differential diagnosis, and includes the 15 item Geriatric Depression Scale. Detailed information on antidepressant medication and other psychotherapeutic interventions are discussed.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Diagnosis & Treatment

This course explains the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical features, symptoms, and factors affecting chronic fatigue are identified. Research-based treatment approaches for chronic fatigue syndrome and the role of health care professionals for chronic fatigue syndrome patients are discussed. This course describes the prognosis for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

CHF - Diagnosis, Assessment & Treatmen

This course focuses on the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). It discusses the most common causes of CHF and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, especially in the elderly . This course reviews the 'Boston Criteria for Diagnosing Heart Failure' and the 'New York Heart Association Functional Classification of CHF'. Physical Examination, in particular an evaluation of a patient's respiratory status are presented. Diagnostic testing is discussed.

Cerebral Palsy - Diagnosis, Treatment & Rehabilitation

Cerebral palsy describes a group of conditions that are caused by damage to the developing brain, with the literal translation meaning "brain paralysis." This damage typically occurs before, during, or closely after birth, thus babies and children are the most affected. This course describes the determining features of the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. The risk factors and etiology of this diagnosis are identified. Therapeutic treatment approaches and goals including rehabilitation therapy, improving muscle activity, occupational therapy, and gait and movement therapy are listed. A helpful resource list is also included with this course.

Bipolar 1 & 2 & Cyclothmic Disorders

This course discusses and defines the mania characteristics. It reviews DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for each. It discusses prevalence, causes, major signs & symptoms, and differences in the episodes. It examines the use of certain drugs for the prevention and treatment of each disorder. Additional resources and reading are included.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) & its Subtypes

This course provides an overview of Attention Deficit Disorders and its various subtypes, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). It describes the differences among Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and their subtypes. Diagnosis and general treatment options are also reviewed. Issues such as incidence, comorbidity and misdiagnosis will also be discussed.

Asperger’s Syndrome—Diagnosis, Treatment Issues, and Interve

This is an indispensable course for healthcare professionals who work with individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. From causality and diagnosis through specific and practical intervention strategies, this basic-level course offers a fresh approach to understanding the unique characteristics and successfully supporting the heterogeneous needs of people with Asperger’s.

Alzheimer's Disease & the Rehabilitation Professional

This course includes the epidemiology, causes, and clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease. The diagnostic approach to Alzheimer's disease, including differential diagnosis, diagnostic criteria, and diagnostic testing is discussed. The course includes proven preventive measures and effective treatment options for Alzheimer's disease. Descriptions of the roles of physical and occupational therapists and caregiver training for patients with the disease are included. The effect of Alzheimer's disease on family members and caregivers is also addressed.

AIDS - Occupational Safeguards Update

This course describes the modes of transmission of HIV, Universal Precautions, and how they are used to prevent HIV transmission. The course explains exposure management for percutaneous exposures, mucous membrane exposures, and intact skin exposures to body fluids believed to contain HIV. A description indicating the use of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) algorithm to determine the appropriate codes and management is included as well as a list of the HIV postexposure prophylaxis resources and registries.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral compression syndrome, and may be present unilaterally or bilaterally. It is common in people who perform repetitive or forceful movements during work or play, and is also associated with medical conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, and hypertension. Classic symptoms of CTS include intermittent pain or tingling along the median nerve distribution of the wrist, hand, thumb, and fingers. Physical and occupational therapy can help CTS patients manage painful symptoms and regain function in the hand. This course describes lifestyle changes that may benefit the patient with CTS and defines the role of the rehabilitation professional and goals of the rehabilitation program.