Should I take a live Continuing Education course or an on-line course?

After sponsoring and developing live courses for over 25 years, we admit to being just a tad prejudice about live continuing education courses! Our professions (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology) are used to being physically active. So I don’t need to tell you that sitting at a desk taking an on-line course can be an excruciatingly painful experience for many of us.

While there is certainly nothing that compares to the convenience of sitting in your pajamas and taking an on-line course, you have to weigh the convenience over the inspiring shot-in-the-arm experience of learning alongside your colleagues at a live course.

Did you know?

We conducted a formal survey of over 900 therapists who overwhelmingly said they prefer live courses to any other form of continuing education. These therapists pointed out that 1 or 2 hour courses on-line did not (and could not) have the depth and breadth of a one or two day course.

Here is the key to help you decide:

If you are looking for pure didactic information go for an on-line course!  If you are searching for clinical problem solving, or a hands-on skill, and depth of knowledge that comes from a one or two day long course, there is nothing that energizes you like a live continuing education course interacting with instructors and colleagues.

What has been your experience with on-line courses? Feel free to share this information in this blog!

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Case Study Protocols

Jen Posts

DEAR ERI COMMUNITY: We are a multidisciplinary pediatric practice and are looking to start doing some case studies. Our last student did some research and came up with a protocol and I was surprised at how involved it was and overwhelmed with the time commitment.

We have quite a few students so that is one way we were going to trial our first case study but I was wondering if anyone else is doing formal case studies specifically in a busy outpatient setting.

Thanks so much
Jen PT
Mainely Kidz

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Congratulations to Glen Gillen, receiving highest honor in occupational therapy

 

Education Resources would like to congratulate Dr. Glen Gillen Ed.D., OTR, FAOTA on his selection as the 2013 AOTA Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecturer.

The Slagle lectureship award is one of the highest honors in occupational therapy and recognizes an AOTA member who has creatively contributed to the development of the body of knowledge of the profession through research, education, and/or clinical practice. Dr. Gillen’s lecture will be given at the AOTA Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego, California in 2013.

Glen Gillen is currently an Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at Columbia University. He has authored over 50 publications including textbooks, chapters, and peer reviewed research. Glen is best known in the neurorehabilitation community for his contribution to the literature, the textbook Stroke Rehabilitation: A Function-Based Approach third edition and Cognitive and Perceptual Rehabilitation: Optimizing Function both published by Elsevier. Glen’s experience spans the continuum of care from acute to long term care. A past recipient of AOTF’s Award for Clinical Excellence in Rehabilitation and AOTA’s Recognition of Achievement Award, Glen lectures extensively on the local, state, national, and university level regarding multiple topics related to neurorehabilitation. He maintains a clinical caseload working in the areas of acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. He serves on several editorial boards for journals related to physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Glen Gillens courses with Education Resources: 

Evaluation and Treatment of Cognitive-Perceptual Problems: A Function-Based Approach

Treatment of the Neurologic Upper Extremity

What Therapists are saying about Glen Gillen’s courses:
This course did an excellent job of breaking down typical problems with neurologic upper extremity and presenting treatment interventions based on current research. I would highly recommend this to anyone who works with the adult neuro population. 
Renee Schmidt

Glen is probably one of the best speakers I’ve heard. His lecture was organized, knowledge-based and occasionally witty! I would recommend this to everyone. 
Sheryl Morianty

Glen used a great mix of lecture, slides, personal stories and video to keep the course interesting. I definitely feel that I have learned some great ways to improve my clinical skills as an OT.
Stacy Munson

No matter how long I’ve been practicing, I find it refreshing to attend education courses that make me really look at how I practice and how I can be a better therapist. Thank you. Melissa Mielcars

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Post Course Discussion With Speakers

We would like to introduce something new: a discussion with our speakers following their course. This is the ideal opportunity for course participants to share their experiences using the new techniques learned, and discuss any clinical challenges, solutions and suggestions. We welcome all therapists to offer their own therapy tips and join this community.

The Pediatric Brain:
Functional Neuroanatomy and the Sensory Systems and their Treatment Applications

Hello all, 

I hope that everyone has had a chance to try some of the treatment strategies that we talked about at my course. I wanted to follow up because some of you had talked with me about your clients and had questions, and I wanted to make sure that everyone’s requests were appropriately addressed. Sometimes there is not enough time through the course of the weekend. If anyone would like to continue discussing their particular clients that were brought up or had any further questions now, or at any point in the future, please do not hesitate to post your questions, thoughts and suggestions on this blog.

I always love to keep communication open and am also eager to learn from all therapists I come into contact with. 

Thanks again and hope some of you got to do some reflex testing, adjust some treatment plans, and throw a little vision activity into the mix!

Janine Wiskind

 

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Pediatric Massage Therapist Anyone?

Britney Posts:

DEAR ERI COMMUNITY: I am a physical therapist in Austin, TX, and I have a patient who is 3 years old who has been diagnosed with an unspecified connective tissue disorder. His mother was asking me if I thought massage would be helpful for his muscle cramps and pain. I found a few articles that support the use of pediatric massage in children with special needs as well as an article speaking to the benefits of use in children with Ehlers-Danlos, as long as caution is taken not to overstretch muscles across joints with hyperlaxity. However, I am having trouble finding a qualified practitioner. Does anyone know of a pediatric massage therapist in the Austin area?

Thanks!
Britney

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