Getting a degree, diploma or certification is not enough for physical therapists to stay competitive. You’ll also need regular physiotherapy continuing education to keep abreast of new developments in your field, enhance knowledge and skills and to serve your patients and clients more effectively.

The successful physiotherapist may not have enough time during the day or to travel away from work and family to attend a regular classroom-type instruction. For many therapists, obtaining an online physiotherapy continuing education is the perfect solution because it brings learning to your office or home, allowing you to learn at your own pace and time.

How it works

A regular program typically consists of short courses that you can complete at your own pace. You’ll have access to reading material, virtual classroom courses and exams as well. While many assume that distance learning falls short of the benefits that actual face-to-face instruction has, advanced Internet technology has made it possible for students to interact with fellow students and faculty members, providing a highly engaging environment crucial in learning. A course culminates with an exam that you will also take online. Some providers may even allow you to print your certificate right after taking the online test.

What to look for

Delivery method: Each student may have different learning styles making specific delivery methods more suitable than others. Find out first if the delivery method of the courses suits your learning style to maximize learning. This may also hasten learning and completion.

Accreditation: Your professional organization may require you to obtain further training only from accredited course providers. Ensure first that your provider is accredited; most learning institutions readily supply therapists with a list of professional organizations that recognize them.

Courses you can take

You can take advanced courses leading to higher degrees or honorific titles such as online Master’s, doctorate and PhD degrees in physiotherapy and rehabilitation science. These diploma courses may take at least a year to complete but add to your prestige.

You may also want to brush up on the latest techniques or developments in your field by taking short courses from various specialties such as dry needling, pediatric physiotherapy, geriatric, cardio-pulmonary, sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy and radiology.

Short courses in physiotherapy continuing education can also enhance the practice of other health professionals like doctors and nurses and may even qualify for CE credits for licensed doctors. Re-licensing requirements vary among states so it’s best to check with your local licensing board for compliance procedures.

Completing Physiotherapy Continuing Education Online is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

Physiotherapy is a broad field composed of many specialties appropriate for certain conditions and making it important for a therapist to maintain regular physiotherapy cpd.

While many are of the impression that a physical therapist can treat a wide range of conditions, only those with the right skills and knowledge obtained from physiotherapy cpd are best qualified for a patient’s needs.

Advanced training may be obtained from short programs in the following specialties:

Orthopedic: Physical therapists in this field specialize in joint, acute sports injuries, arthritis, amputations and more.

Geriatric: Therapists here focus on older adults and specialize in managing arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, pulmonary fibrosis and hip and joint replacement.

Neurological: A specialist in this field is the best person to help patients manage Alzheimer’s disease, brain injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke and more.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation: is for therapists who wish to focus treatment of patients with heart and pulmonary diseases. Likely patients include those who have undergone a coronary bypass or are affected by pulmonary fibrosis.

Pediatric: This specialty deals with helping children affected with congenital, developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal and other disorders as well as children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida.

Higher degrees like the Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Physiotherapy may also be completed in at least 2 years of study. The advantage of a longer program leading to a diploma degree is in the solid education you can obtain as well as the additional title you may attach to your name such as the DPT or Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

You may also choose where to obtain and in what instruction mode to receive your training. Typically, cpd is learned in classroom type settings with live discussions with teachers and colleagues. But with advanced Internet technology, high quality instruction can now be obtained through a website complete with exams, online discussions and interaction with other students and a certificate to cap the program you are taking.

The most obvious advantage of an online program is the convenience it provides. You don’t have to miss time at work or at home because the courses are delivered at your office or home. Online physiotherapy cpd allows you to complete your courses at your own pace, allowing you to accelerate or tailor learning around your busy work schedule. You save on travel and hotel expenses as well if you’re temporarily based in a different town.

Physiotherapy CPD Options is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

Scientists continuously discover new things about the body and how it moves, works and functions leading to the development of new practices and techniques that help health professionals heal their patients and restore good health as well. It is to your best advantage then to update your knowledge and techniques by obtaining physiotherapy continuing professional development (cpd).

Professional organizations often require their members to complete some credits in physiotherapy courses as a condition for continued membership. This helps set the standard for the level of skill and knowledge that an organization’s members possess. Some licensing boards as well may require professionals to obtain cpd credits before renewing their licenses.

Allied professionals like doctors may also find it useful in their practice to obtain advance training in physiotherapy. Some providers allow you to choose and enroll only in specific subjects of a program, which arrangement works quite well for busy professionals.

Benefits of Physiotherapy CPD

Work excellence: Advanced courses often teach the latest findings, developments and methods in physiotherapy which can greatly improve the quality of service that you provide.

Client confidence: A survey showed that clients tend to approach only those therapists who obtain continuous education.

Networking: Whether in a classroom setting or through a distance learning program, you get to interact with colleagues in the field, widening your network in the process.

Factors to consider:

Credit requirements: Therapists who are looking to take classes in order to meet state regulated guidelines must first read and understand thoroughly what their state’s requirements are. Requirements vary among states; some states may require you to take classes in a specific sub-field. Minimum number of hours can also vary. But if you’re a professional, not necessarily a therapist, who simply wants to take advantage of physiotherapy cpd courses for your own personal knowledge, you’ll have more freedom and flexibility in choosing what you can take.

Provider qualifications: Your course provider must also be accredited by your local licensing board for purposes of license renewal or recognized by your professional organization for purposes of maintaining your membership. Teachers and instructors should not only be licensed in their fields but must also be up to date in the latest developments.

Course or specialty: Physiotherapy CPD can be earned through a master’s and doctorate degree, which take at least 2 years to complete, and leads to a diploma and professional title like Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). You may also take shorter programs or specific subjects in fields like orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation and pediatric therapy.

Basic Guide for Physiotherapy CPD is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

Laurence Butler DO started his academic career with two degrees in biology and psychology and then qualified over two decades ago from the British School of Osteopathy (BSO). He has worked continuously in private practice since that time.

Laurence has joined post-graduate training at the national hospital for neurology and neurosurgery in Queens Square. He has since gained distinction in Masters of Science and Osteopathic Care through the BSO and Open University. He has taught both undergrad and post-grad osteopathy and physiotherapy students.

He has written for journals and other professional publications including the popular Crawford and Cook, ‘Clinical Reasoning Series’.

One of his major interests is in diagnostic reasoning processes and how to improve them.

Online Webinar: Using ‘Red Flags’ to improve clinical reasoning

Laurence Butler DO is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

In this webinar Laurence Butler DO takes you through signs and symptoms not to miss – ‘using red flags’ to improve clinical reasoning.

Topics covered include:

• A brief overview of the terminology – red flags/red herrings
• A look at the overall flag system – red, yellow, blue and black
• The current use of red flags in relationship to the musculoskeletal system
• The origins of red flags from the physiotherapy/medical model
• Various international guidelines concerning red flags
• The research evidence and validity for various individual red flags
• Problems with the red flag system
• Potential alternative/complementary approaches

Recommended Reading:

Using ‘Red Flags’ To Improve Clinical Reasoning is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

In this webinar Dr. Yun-tao Ma will take you through acupuncture for pain management and other novel Intra-neuro-muscular techniques.

Topics covered include:

• Concepts of pain management in dry needling acupuncture medicine vs conventional medicine
• Introduction of systemic Integrative Homeostatic Acu-reflex points System
• Neuro-physiological mechanisms of dry needling acupuncture: peripheral and central mechanisms; specific and non-specific mechanisms
• Physiology of three types of acu-reflex points: homeostatic, symptomatic and paravertebral
• Clinical example: treatment procedure for soft tissue shoulder pain and dysfunction in dry needling acupuncture therapy.

CPD Credit Hours: 1

Biomedical Dry Needling is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

Dr. Yun-tao Ma is a renowned international authority in acupuncture pain management and trauma rehabilitation. Dr. Yun-tao Ma has more than 40 years of experience practicing and teaching throughout the world.

Yun-Tao Ma, received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of South Carolina for research in the field of pain mechanism and neuronal rehabilitation.

He is the author of the highly acclaimed textbooks: Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management, and  four other textbooks.

Dr. Ma is a founder and Director of the Biomedical Acupuncture Institute (BMAI). He conducts seminars and teaches Biomedical Acupuncture for Pain Management to medical professionals in the United States and worldwide.

Online Webinar: Biomedical Acupuncture

Books by Dr Yun-tao Ma

Dr Yun-tao Ma is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

Professor Nikolai Bogduk presents ‘Pain Science and Pharmacology for Manual Therapists’ online course.

The course provides 8 hours of CPD and is broken down into 5 core modules:

1. Taking a Pain History
2. Pain and Opiods
3. Inflammation: Steroids, NSAIDs, and Paracetamol
4. Neurogenic Pain
5. Assessing Pain Interventions

Each module is based around a screencast video of Professor Bogduk taking you through each of these topics as only he can.  His presentations are visual, entertaining, easy to follow and highly educational.

The 5 core modules are supplemented with presentations by Nic Lucas and Rob Moran in which they discuss the main points of each topic and how they might be applied to clinical practice.

This course can be taken at your own convenience – as long as you complete it within the next 12 months.  If you need CPD points quickly then you can do the whole course straight away.  If you’d prefer to wait and do the course in a new CPD cycle, then you are able to do that as well.

We are committed to providing you with high quality, comprehensive CPD courses from international experts.  Often you would have to spend thousands to attend one of their live training events – not to mention the travel involved; however our expertise in turning live education into online education means we can get access to these people for you and bring them right into your computer.

Pain Science and Pharmacology for Manual Therapists is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD

In this webinar Prof. Nikolai Bogduk will take you through the good, bad and the ugly of spinal injections.

Topics covered include:

• How do you know the source of pain in the spine?
• The role of spinal injection in determining the source of pain.
• The  different sources of spinal pain and how commonly they occur.
• The validity of different treatment techniques for different sources of spinal pain.
• Why should a patient have a spinal injection?
• The benefits of spinal injection in chronic pain management.
• Problems with spinal injections.
• Acute vs Chronic Pain Management.

CPD Credit Hours: 1

Spinal Injection is a post from: Physiotherapy CPD