Vermont Occupational Therapy Continuing Education

• Describe 5 clinical indications for the use of spinal traction
• Outline and describe application techniques for mechanical traction, lumbar, cervical, self and positional traction
• Examine important aspects included in documentation for the use of traction

Electrical Currents for Soft Tissue Healing

• Explain how electrical stimulation facilitates wound healing
• Describe 3 parameters for electrical stimulation to promote wound healing
• Explore and list 2 parameters for the use of iontophoresis
• Describe the use of electrical currents for edema control
• List 3 precautions and 3 contraindications for the use of electrical currents in tissue healing

Electrical Currents for Pain Control

• Describe the use of conventional TENS, Low-rate and Burst-Mode TENS for the use of pain control
• List and describe 3 contraindications for the use of electrical currents for pain control
• Examine parameters such as waveform, electrode placement, amplitude, treatment time and frequency in the use of electrical currents for the use ofpain control
• Read case studies and highlight clinical application

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Define 4 physical properties of water
• Describe 6 physiological effects of hydrotherapy
• Examine 4 uses for the use of hydrotherapy in clinical practice
• List and describe 4 adverse effects and 5 contraindications and precautions for hydrotherapy
• Compare and contrast clinical use and application techniques
• Examine and describe 3 important safety considerations for infection prevention

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Describe 3 benefits and the effects of the use of external compression
• Outline and describe 5 clinical indications for the use of external compression
• List 5 contraindications and precautions
• Outline and describe application techniques for bandaging, compression garments, and compression pumps
• Examine the adverse effects of external compression

• Understand electrical principles so that you can predict the amount and location of current flow in human tissues including muscles. 
• Decide whether an individual is appropriate for EStim given relevant contraindications, precautions, and associated risks.
• Link electrode placement and electrical waveform selection. 
• Chose common electrical stimulus parameters based on the desired outcome and individual patient needs. 
• Describe application techniques that are safe, comfortable, and effective manner. 
• Identify resources for continue learning and application of knowledge

• Become familiar with the importance of primary vision care in geriatrics
• Identify normal age-related vision changes in the aging population
• Describe 5 age-related systemic and neurological diseases
• Differentiate between anterior and posterior segment diseases in the older adult
• Become familiar with the optometric examination of the older adult
• List 5 factors that complicate eye examination in the older adult
• Describe auditory impairment in the older adult
• Describe 3 pharmacological aspects of aging
• Identify options for vision correction in the older adult
• Discuss the option of contact lenses and the older adult
• Describe the importance of functional therapy in rehab of the older adult
• Identify important factors in the care of older adults who are visually impaired
• Outline and compare 3 common issues facing the older driver
• Identify key nutritional concerns in the older adult
• Describe the delivery of vision care in nontraditional settings
• Discuss 5 public health aspects involving care of the older adult
• Become familiar with 3ethical issues involving care of the older adult
• Desccribe the field of vision rehab and the aging population

• Describe the mechanisms by which the skin is able to provide its 6 major functions
• Describe the structures, function and cellular composition of the skin layers, including layers within the dermis and eipdermis
• Explain the relationship between skin pigmentation and protection against ultraviolet light
• Compare and contrast the structural and cellular development of the skin in the fetus, premature infant, full-term neonate, adolescent and adult
• Describe at least 2 effects on the skin of the following: hydration, sun, nutrition, soaps and medications
• Compare and contrast the structure and function of dark and light pigmented skin

• Compare and contrast wound healing processes for each type of closure: primary, intention, secondary intention and tertiary intention
• Distinguish between partial thickness and full thickness wound repair
• Explain the difference between acute and chronic full thickness wounds
• Describe 4 characteristics of a chronic wound
• Describe the role of various types of cells in the wound repair process
• Describe features and characteristics of scarless healing
• Distinguish between keloid and hypertrophic scarring and the treatment of each
• Identify conditions and comorbidities that affect the wound healing process

• Describe the process of at least 5 factors that contribute to skin damage
• Distinguish among the following terms; macule, papule, plaque, nodule, wheal, pustule, vescile and bulla
• Describe 4 types of mechanical trauma by the extent of tissue damage associated with each
• Discuss 3 interventions for preventing each type of mechanical trauma
• Describe 3 preventive interventions for 3 common causes of chemical damage
• Describe the process of an allergic contact dermatitis
• Identify factors that predispose a patient to candidiasis
• Describe manifestations and care of skin damage due to irradiation

• Differentiate between skin inspection and assessment
• List 6 factors to consider when assessing darkly pigmented skin
• Distinguish between wound assessment and evaluation of healing
• Define partial-thickness and full-thickness tissue loss
• Compare and contrast a normal and an abnormal finding for each wound assessment parameter
• Describe how to measure the length, width, depth tunneling and undermining of a wound

• Describe the incidence and prevalence of pressure ulcers in various clinical settings and vulnerable patient populations
• Define pressure ulcer
• Identify the 3 most common locations at which pressure ulcers develop
• Describe the role of subcutaneous tissue and muscle in preventing pressure ulcers
• Describe the role of the causative factors for pressure ulcer formation

• Explain 3 justifications for a pressure ulcer prevention program
• Distinguish between an avoidable and an unavoidable pressure ulcer
• List components of a best practice bundle of a pressure ulcer prevention program
• Distinguish between a pressure ulcer risk assessment and a skin assessment
• Identify the risk factor subscales in the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk
• Distinguish between turning and repositioning
• Describe 5 repositioning techniques

• List 3 limitations to the reliance of capillary closing values for support surface evaluation
• List 4 factors to consider when interpreting the significance of interface tissue pressure readings
• Define pressure redistribution, immersion and envelopment
• Explain the difference between a reactive and an active support surface
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of support surface categories and features
• List factors to consider for appropriate selection of a support surface

• Describe 3 types of neuropathy that may occur in the patient with diabetes
• Identify critical factors to be included in the history and physical exam of the patient with lower-extremity neuropathic disease
• Describe the correlation of protective sensation with risk for diabetic foot ulcer
• Distinguish among the musculoskeletal foot deformities that lead to focal areas of high pressure in the patient with peripheral neuropathy
• Identify key concepts in effective and appropriate offloading

• Describe the role of debridement in the wound healing process
• List contraindications to debridement
• Distinguish between selective and nonselective debridement
• Compare and contract 4 methods of debridement: autolysis, chemical, mechanical and sharp
• List debridement options for the infected wound
• Describe 5 factors to consider when selecting a debridement approach
• For each method of debridement, list 2 advantages, disadvantages and relevant special considerations

• Identify 3 principles of wound management
• Describe the characteristics of a physiologic wound environment
• Identify at least 5 objectives in creating a physiologic wound environment
• Define the terms occlusive, semiocclusive, moisture retentive, primary dressing and secondary dressing
• List 2 indications and 1 contraindication for each dressing category
• Describe the factors to consider when selecting a wound dressing

• Become familiar with electrical stimulation for the use of wound healing
• Define terminology associated with electrical stimulation for wound healing
• Explain the physiologic effects of electrical stimulation
• List at least 2 indications for electrical stimulation
• List at least 2 contraindications for electrical stimulation

• Become familiar with ultraviolet light and ultrasound for the use of wound healing
• List at least 1 indication each for ultraviolet-C, high frequency ultrasound and low frequency ultrasound use
• List at least 2 contraindications for each modality
• Explain the mechanisms of action for each modality

• Identify the 3 phases of burn care and discuss the goal of each phase
• Discuss the causes of burns including thermal, chemical and electrical injuries
• Identify how the 3 zones of tissue damage relate to the depth of the burn wound
• Describe 3 methods commonly used to calculate the total body surface area of a burn
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of at least 4 topical burn care products and dressings
• Identify 3 principles of managing burn wounds in an outpatient setting

• Discuss current issues related to surgical wound infection and recommendations made by national collaboratives or evidenced-based guidelines to address these problems and improve outcomes
• Compare intrinsic and extrinsic patient characteristics associated with surgical wound healing complications or infection
• Identify wound assessment characteristics comparing the ASEPSIS method of evaluating wounds with Center for Disease Control and Prevention-defined characteristics for surgical site infection
• Identify evidence-based measures for surgical wounds including dressing, topical treatment, and care of sutures, staples and tissue adhesives
• Discuss 3 aspects of care or evaluation for patients with surgical wounds and how they can help to promote healing and prevent complications of healing

• Briefly outline the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga 
• Enumerate classification of asanas 
• List 5 benefits of asanas or yogic postures 
• Understand the application of asanas with therapy 
• List 5 Asanas for low back pain 
• List 3 Asanas for hip stretches 
• Name 5 poses/ asanas for upper extremity strengthening 
• Recite contraindications for all poses

Hour # 1

• Describe what is Pranayama
• List 5 benefits of Pranayama or Yogic Breathing

Hour #2

• Understand the application of Pranayama with Rehab
• List 3 simple Breathing exercises for warm up

Hour #3

• List 9 Yogendra Pranayama
• Summarize importance of Breathing correct
• Be familiar with contraindication for all Pranayama

• List 5 benefit of Yoga Asana
• Understand the application of Yogic Asanas or Postures with Rehab
• State 5 Asanas to improve shoulder flexibility
• Propose poses for progressing with scapular stabilization
• Be able to differentiate between use of static and dynamic poses
• Recognize ways to modify poses when painful
• Create HEP with Yogic Postures
• Be familiar with correct alignment during poses
• Summarize ways to prevent injuries with yoga asanas

• Justify the use of  Yoga poses with rehabilitation 
• Name 3 poses for each stage of rehabilitation 
• List 5 poses helpful for balance 
• Describe how to implement yoga with patients and establish a POC 
• Perform a biomechanical analysis with poses 
• Recognize and list Do’s and Don'ts with  poses 
• Describe 5 ways to avoid injuries with poses

• Understand application of core stability for low back pain 
• Recall physiology associated with low back pain 
• What is eoga and enumerate various benefits 
• Enlist asanas for acute low back pain 
• List 5 important asanas for increasing flexibility 
• Select appropriate asanas for core strengthening 
• Propose modification in yoga asanas 
• Deduce information from latest evidence-based studies on yoga for low back pain 
• Summarize importance of yoga for low back pain