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Thinking about a Residency Program?

You're invited to an info session and Q&A about

EIM’s Orthopaedic and Sports PT Residency Programs.

 

June 27, 2010 at 7 pm CT

 

Join Rob Wainner & Teresa Schuemann  for answers on how you can jump start your career with residency training at EIM.

 

Reserve your webinar seat now at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/611667417
After registering you will receive a confirmation email with info about joining the webinar.

Questions? Contact us at info@evidenceinmotion.com

MANIPALOOZA - Tribute to Dr. Dick Erhard

Even if you can't make it to Manipalooza, you can still join the fun! 

The Foundation for Physical Therapy plans to honor the life of Dr. Dick Erhard on Saturday May 22, 2010 at Manipalooza by awarding a Promotion of Doctoral Studies I Scholarship in his name.  Event attendees will also have an opportunity to share favorite memories and messages about Dr. Erhard during the event...and you can too!

Between now and May 22, send a favorite memory or message about Dr. Dick Erhard that can be viewed by Manipalooza attendees by texting "ERHARD" and your message to 22333 or Tweeting @poll ERHARD and your message. 

Click here for more details.

EIM and EDUCATA Join to Provide Continuing Education for Physical Therapists!

Louisville, KY - (May 11, 2010) – Evidence In Motion (EIM), a provider of physical therapy education and practice consultation, and EDUCATA, a global leader in online continuing education for physical therapists recently announced an alliance. Under the terms of the deal, select EIM courses will become available through EDUCATA’s online platform.  The agreement widens the scope of offerings for both companies while providing PTs and PTAs everywhere the ease and convenience of online professional development.

“This partnership represents a significant development for physical therapists and their continuing education”, says Marilyn Pink, EDUCATA’s president and CEO. “Whether looking for credits required to re-license or to stay on top of their game, PTs can now access EIM’s courses through EDUCATA’s audiovisual interactive platform. EIM’s loyal members are equally benefited by easy access to EDUCATA’s educators and materials.”

Evidence In Motion is dedicated to promoting evidence-based practice within the physical therapy profession through its educational offerings.  In addition to online and hands-on continuing education courses, Evidence In Motion offers an Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency, Sports Physical Therapy Residency, Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy and Executive Program in Private Practice Management.

“We are excited about our new collaboration with EDUCATA. We have known the people associated with EDUCATA for many years.  We respect and appreciate their contribution to the physical therapy profession as well as their commitment to build and offer the premier online continuing education platform. We believe this relationship very effectively serves EIM’s core competency as a builder of high quality educational content while also contributing to EDUCATA’s capability as a leading deliverer of continuing education,” states George Burkley, EIM CEO.

EDUCATA’s sharp focus on quality of content and of delivery was an important factor leading to the alliance.  The company places high emphasis in providing an excellent user experience through rich media, giving visitors the ability to see the materials being presented as well as hear and interact with the instructor.

About Educata:

EDUCATA.com is a unique, interactive, Web 2.0 education platform that delivers online learning. It offers a broad spectrum of courses from orthopaedics and pulmonology to geriatrics and oncology that are taught by top-ranked educators and experienced clinicians. EDUCATA’s partners include the World Confederation for Physical Therapy as well as many APTA state chapters and sections. Physical therapy continuing education is the focus of the first launch. Subsequent launches will target additional professions.

EIM's Residency Night!!

 Thinking about a Residency Program at EIM?

You're invited to an info session and Q&A about our
Orthopaedic and Sports PT Residency Programs.

Join ROB WAINNER &
TERESA SCHUEMANN on
April 26, 2010 at 7 pm CT
for answers on how you can jump start your
career with residency training at EIM.

Reserve your webinar seat now at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/414039977

After registering you will receive a confirmation email with info about joining the webinar.

Questions? Contact us at info@evidenceinmotion.com

EIM Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program!!

EIM and Sports Medicine: The EIM Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program

EIM is excited to introduce its new Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program(SPTR)!  Dr. Teresa Schuemann has joined the EIM team as the SPTR content developer and director.  She is an experienced Program Director who has been Chair of the APTA Residency and Fellowship Credentialing Committee and now serves as one of seven members on the APTA American Board of Residency and Fellowship Education. 

“Going through a residency program was the best decision of my professional career”, states Dr. Teresa Schumann, SPTR director.  “I am thrilled to provide such and experience for other Physical Therapy clinicians.”

The SPTR is an 18-month program of post-professional clinical and didactic education for physical therapists designed to advance the physical therapist resident's preparation as a provider of client care services in sports physical therapy.  The SPTR incorporates key Orthopaedic Residency topics, such as Evidence-based Practice and Upper and Lower Extremity, with Sports specific courses, such as Emergency Response and SCS Prep.  The SPTR also requires Athletic Venue Hours in addition to Mentor Hours and Out Come Tracking. 

EIM’s SPTR is designed so that graduates will become highly skilled, autonomous practitioners who have substantially increased their ability to provide care to a full spectrum of clients with athletic injuries.  Sports Residents will gain a strong base of knowledge of evidence-based practice and preventative and rehabilitative sports therapy techniques.  Graduates will also be positioned to both achieve the Sports Certified Specialist (SCS) certification from the ABPTS and to be leaders in the sports physical therapy field.

The first cohort begins in June 2010 and the application deadline is May 1, 2010. 

Click here for additional details, SPTR FAQ’s, and the SPTR Fact Sheet.

More Than A Tweet

but less than a full blog post and not befitting of posterous account so I thought I would put them together.

-Can’t help thinking that as physical therapists we need to formally get on the bandwagon of the very noble initiative by Michelle Obama to curb child obesity especially when one considers the substantial evidence on exercise and nutrition. Since most of our patients are overweight and that is not their primary reason to come to PT, we could play a role in this fight.  Government estimates are that obesity costs $147 billion year (or more than approx 12x the size of the outpatient PT industry) in weight-related medical bills.  The government campaign Let’s Move sure goes hand in hand with our Move Forward.

-From the latest Cochrane on use of therapeutic ultrasound for knee or hip OA:

In contrast to he previous version of this review, our results suggest that therapeutic ultrasound may be beneficial for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Because of the low quality of evidence, we are uncertain about the magnitude of the effects on pain relief and function.  Therapeutic ultrasound is widely used for its potential benefits in both knee pain and function, which may be clinically relevant.  Appropriately designed trials of adequate power are therefore warranted.

Looks like we might see a big return to ultrasound machines at our exhibit halls!

-at TED this week having just finished one of their books they sent as part of their book club called Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet, and Threatens Our Lives.  'Denialism: How Irrational Thinking Hinders Scientific Progress, Harms the Planet and Threatens Our Lives by Michael Specter. It is an excellent book on many fronts and provided much insight as to why there really is an “anti-science” trend which by extension anti-EBP.  The unfortunate emotional arguments against clinical-effectiveness research as a plank in healthcare reform is probably the most recent showing of “denialism” in action. The recent Lancet retraction of the crazy notion of linking MMR vaccines to autism unfortunately help spread denialism to a movement that resulted in less children being vaccinated.  Specter is presenting at this conference and the presentation will then be available sometime on the TED site.

-Re-reading Nov 2007 post Support the Exception to the Moratorium of the Exception process demonstrates that some things never change. On Feb 4, Senator Ensign (R-NV) introduced 2 pieces of legislation that could extend the therapy cap exceptions process for one year (S.2987) and two years (S.2988) and most likely this legislation gets attached to others but does pose a near term opportunity to repeal the cap temporarily while we hopefully get a permanent repeal.  As PT’s it is time to reach out and I particularly recommend both the APTA legislative action center which is a brilliant way to personalize your message to your Senators and the Patient Action Center which is also a meaningful way for your patients to assist in the effort (especially the irate Medicare patients who have already exhausted their 2010 cap).  As we have consistently said on this blog, if for no other reason than legislative representation, you should be a member of your national association.

-On a very sad note a name synonymous with our profession, Werner Hausmann died in Florida at age 85 from cancer.  His equipment including tables and parallel bars adorn physical therapy centers everywhere. Here is an inspiring story about this fine man and entrepreneur reflecting his humble upbringings and the challenge that created his company.

-Lastly, I would like to get ideas and suggestions on Physical Therapists Help For Haiti an initiative designed to bring physical therapy attention, relief, and emphasis on the devastation in Haiti.  There has never been a time when the whole world will be watching physical therapists play such a significant role in so many lives and the current work of PT’s in Haiti right now is inspiring.  One initial thought was to hold an online course with several renowned instructors donating their time by teaching with all registration monies going exclusively to supplies, training local Haitians in rehab techniques, and other physical therapy relief efforts. All we have is a reserved domain name so please feel free to share your thoughts.

larry@physicaltherapist.com

EIM and Rocky Mountain Form Strategic Alliance

Evidence in Motion (EIM) and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) Form a Strategic Alliance  

Dr. Tim Flynn of EIM to Join the RMUoHP Faculty

as a Distinguished Professor in Physical Therapy 

 

Provo, UT (January 4, 2010) –Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP)) and Evidence In Motion (EIM), LLC, announced today a strategic alliance to collaboratively and strategically advance entry-level and post-professional education opportunities for physical therapists throughout the country. As part of the alliance, Dr. Tim Flynn, one of the nations' most recognized and distinguished physical therapy clinicians, researchers, and educators, will be joining RMUoHP's faculty as a Distinguished Professor.  Additionally, Dr. Larry Benz, founding principal in EIM and nationally recognized business leader and clinician, will be joining the Board of Directors of Wasatch Educational Inc.,which owns RMUoHP.  

 

RMUoHP offers doctoral degrees for healthcare providers and educators, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, chiropractors, exercise physiologists, and athletic trainers. RMUoHP’s non-traditional limited residency model enables students to complete advanced Doctor of Science (DSc), PhD, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees without relocating. RMUoHP is also starting an in-residence entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program on the Provo, Utah campus in May 2010.  

 

EIM is an education and consultation company dedicated to creating and promoting an evidence-based, best practice culture within the physical therapy profession. EIM’s strategy is to create Residency, Fellowship, and Practice Management programs offering professional mentoring and high caliber learning opportunities that will change the face of education in the physical therapy profession. EIM currently provides support to Dr. Steve Allison, internationally respected and recognized expert in evidence-based practice (EBP), as an endowed chair in EBP at RMUoHP.  

 

Commenting on the collaboration, George Burkley, EIM’s CEO, said, "The outlook for the physical therapy profession is terrific given the evidence to support physical therapists as cost-effective providers for patients with musculoskeletal conditions and the aging of the baby boomer generation. The genesis of our relationship with RMUoHP is hinged on a shared belief that a tremendous opportunity exists to improve the quality and availability of blended limited residency, in-residence and online educational programs to meet the growing demand for physical therapy education.”   

 

Dr. Richard P. Nielsen, President of RMUoHP, commented, "In RMUoHP’s beginning, our mission was to alter the way that post-profesional physical therapy education was provided by using innovative, distance-based limited residency learning platforms. Our association with EIM is attractive because they share a similar cutting-edge approach to physical therapy entry-level and post-professional training and education.”  

 

Dr. Nielsen added, “One of the  solid assets of EIM is that its principals, program directors, and core faculty are recognized as some of the top educators, researchers, and business leaders in the field of physical therapy and in the world. We are tremendously excited that Dr. Tim Flynn has chosen to join our physical therapy faculty at RMUoHP working in the entry-level and post-professional physical therapy doctoral programs. His scholarship, teaching, and practice experience adds tremendous depth to our educational programs and enhances our ability to recruit the best students and other faculty around the country.”  

 

By aligning RMUoHP with EIM’s trusted high-quality network of physical therapy providers around the country, all of which participate in an orthopaedic Residency program and national outcomes collections, RMUoHP can enhance and expand its delivery of educational services around the country. Specifically, Burkley concluded, “We can utilize our extensive practice network to place the DPT entry-level students from RMUoHP in clinical internships, which we believe will naturally evolve into year long terminal Residency programs similar to how medicine trains physicians.”  

  

###  

 

About Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions:

RMUoHP offers doctoral degrees for current and future healthcare providers and educators, including  physical therapists, nurses,  occupational therapists, athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, and others. RMUoHP’s blended post-professional limited residency  education model enables students to complete advanced degrees without relocating. Curricula emphasize specialized education in advanced clinical, research, and academic areas. RMUoHP is currently accepting applications to our residential Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program which is scheduled to start in May 2010. For more information on Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, please call toll free (866) 780-4107, visit www.rmuohp.edu, or email info@rmuohp.edu.  

 

About Evidence in Motion:

Evidence In Motion (EIM), LLC is an education and consultation company dedicated to creating and promoting an evidence-based, best practice culture within the physical therapy profession. EIM exists to elevate the physical therapy profession and the role of physical therapists in health care delivery. EIM’s strategy is to create Residency, Fellowship, and Practice Management programs offering professional mentoring and high caliber learning opportunities that change the face of education in the physical therapy profession. EIM’s Residency and Fellowship programs are currently the largest in the United States with over 130 residents, 12 fellows, and 56 Practice Management participants residing in over 25 states. EIM also offers combinations of the Residency Program curriculum in a modular fashion to provide rigorous, advanced education and training options via its EIM Certification Program. EIM’s principles, program directors, and core faculty are recognized as “top tier” educators, researchers, and business leaders in the field. EIM ultimately seeks to create value in the eyes of key health care stakeholders (consumers, referral sources, vendors, and third-party payers) for our clients, distinguishing them as a best-in-class, evidence-based practice provider that delivers high quality, affordable health care. For more information on Evidence In Motion, please visit www.EvidenceInMotion.com.

Sen. Cornyn to Highlight Benefits of Prevention & Workplace Wellness at San Antonio's Frito-Lay Facility

AUSTIN—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, will be in San Antonio Thursday, January 14, to visit the Frito-Lay Food Manufacturing Facility and see how local company Fit For Work LLC is helping Frito-Lay employees prevent work-related injuries and lower health care costs. Studies show an emphasis on workplace wellness leads to a healthier and more productive workforce, along with savings on health costs. Sen. Cornyn will be briefed and have the opportunity to see a training demonstration in which Fit For Work staff will train Frito-Lay employees how to carry out their responsibilities at work in a way that promotes wellness and prevents injury.

Sen. Cornyn believes a focus on prevention and wellness must be central to broader health care reform efforts in Washington. He has introduced two bills that promote the concept of workplace wellness and disease prevention: the WHIP Act and the Healthy Workforce Act. The Workforce Health Improvement Program Act, or the WHIP Act, is a bipartisan measure that would level the playing field for small businesses that cannot afford to provide an on-site fitness facility for their employees. Specifically, it would allow employees to exclude from their federal taxes up to $900 of any off-site wellness benefit they receive from their employer.

In the same vein, the Healthy Workforce Act would provide a tax credit to companies that offer effective and comprehensive wellness programs for their employees.

• WHAT: Sen. Cornyn To Highlight Benefits Of Prevention & Workplace Wellness At San Antonio’s Frito-Lay Facility  
• WHEN: Thursday, January 14: 2:50 p.m. – briefing and demonstration & 3:30 p.m. – media availability
• WHERE: Frito-Lay Food Manufacturing Facility, 4855 Greatland Dr., San Antonio, TX  78218

Background on Fit For Work:

Fit For Work is a San Antonio-based company that is hired by labor-intensive businesses to provide their employees with injury prevention techniques. Fit For Work’s techniques include training, ergonomics, and identifying musculoskeletal disorders through on-site clinical diagnostics. Since Fit For Work implemented its program at the San Antonio Frito-Lay facility in 1998, Frito-Lay has seen an 86% reduction in injury frequency and has not experienced an ergo-related injury in the last 7 years. Frito-Lay estimates it has saved millions of dollars as a result of these preventive measures.

EIM and Sports Medicine: The EIM Emergency Response Course

EIM will be leading the way in evidence-based Sports Medicine and will launch this effort by offering the Emergency Response Course, taught by Dr. Teresa Schuemann. The course is a pre-requisite for our June 2010 Sports Medicine Residency Cohort (yes, you read correctly....Sports Medicine Residency,  more details will be coming soon from Dr. Schuemann, who is serving as Program Director,  but put it on your calendars: the EIM Sports Medicine Residency will roll-out its first cohort this June!) However, we are opening enrollment to the EIM Emergency Response Course to all interested therapists.

This course integrates the objectives set forth by the American Red Cross and the Department of Transportation for Emergency Response and is designed specifically for the physical therapist seeking to provide athletic venue coverage and respond appropriately to acute injury.  The class includes instruction and discussion of assessment, management and prevention of cardio-respiratory emergencies, musculoskeletal injury, environmental injuries and medical emergencies such as shock or diabetic reactions, brain injury and spinal injury.    An intensive laboratory weekend is included. This course fulfills the requirements for a physical therapist to be eligible for Sports Physical Therapy Residency Programs and submission of application for the ABPTS- SCS examination.   

Successful completion of both written and practical examinations will be required for this course.  The final practical examination will include successful completion of the following: bleeding control and shock management, trauma victim assessment and management, airway insertion and suction, management of injuries to soft tissue and skeletal structures and management of head, neck and back injuries.  Following successful completion of the course, the participant will be awarded a First Responder Certification (good for 3 years) and a CPR/AED usage for the Professional Rescuer Certification (good for 2 years).

 We look forward to taking sports medicine to the next level in 2010 -- and it all starts with this course!

Thanks!  Rob Wainner

A Few Last Minute Physical Therapy Holiday Gifts

Although I was hoping to receive a Christmas gift that I think would be really sweet-a Fathead Sage Hero, it hasn’t appeared on the market yet-however, under the proviso that it is better to give then to receive, I thought I would hand out a few gifts-or at least gift wishes:

To Medicare Patients:  The gift of direct access which is already available in most states (other than “the land time forgot” like Indiana).  It is clear that after many years of giving it the “old college try” our strategy of convincing legislators is not working-time to get patients as advocates (and by the way, a demonstration project in rural areas should not be considered a victory-partial or otherwise).

To all PT’s and PTA’s including students: The gift of a new “Hippocratic” oath which would include a signed attestation signifying that you will not be employed by a physician. This is a legislative battle that is not being won currently so perhaps one based on conscious appeal will do it.

To State Boards of Physical Therapy:  The gift of common sense, avoidance of “groupthink”, and a reminder of who are your customers.  While I am sure that “penalizing” a private practice physical therapist is somewhat of a Christmas present in and of itself, you should realize when you penalize therapists for taking an “open book” jurisprudence exam (of which a 5^th grader filling in random answers until a passing grade is obtained) a few weeks late it sets in wheels all kinds of consequences including obscene financial penalties, dealings with other state boards, re-filings, letters, etc. etc. 

To legislators:  The gift of discernment.  You can’t add 41 Million people to the healthcare system and save money-unless of course you take it from providers which will force them to opt out of seeing the very patients that will need it most.  Any public option is not “pro competitive” and will look like GMC’s free 72 month financing versus Ford’s finance rate.  While healthcare reform is necessary and imperative, doing it without significant public endorsement is a mistake.

To health insurers:  The gift of understanding.  You can’t pay physical therapists below their costs and not expect them to show up on your doorstep.  Physical therapy eliminates downstream costs of imaging, surgery, and drugs. In actuality, paying physical therapists more will save you money as some have already experienced.

To private practice physical therapists-particularly in Calif: The gift of acumen.  You don’t have to accept unilateral contracts at 30–40% below your rates just because a 3,000 gorilla says so.  Use the power of patient advocacy and community to reverse their dumbfounded decision.

To the PT’s and their staff participating in EIM’s executive management program:  The gift of continuity.  You already have received the gift of proactivity.  WSJ ran a recent full page of articles on MD’s clamoring to get business education-you beat them to the punch.

The To our readership:  The gift of acceptance-particularly of our appreciation for your contributions toward the “cause”-elevation of our profession.  A big thank you and Happy Holidays.  It’s been a fun, action packed year.  2010 will even be better-let’s make it so.

larry@physicaltherapist.com