PT & OT Connection: Continuing Education for Therapists

PT and OT Evaluation Coding Essentials

On January 1, 2017 new Common Procedural Codes Terminology or CPT codes were formerly introduced for physical and occupational therapy evaluations. CPT, authored by the American Medical Association, aims to provide uniform language for health care professionals to code medical services. The goal is to streamline reporting, and to increase efficacy. The decision to modify evaluation coding came about after careful deliberation with AOTA, APTA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, other insurers and other key stakeholders. Why is this change a huge win for PT and OT professionals? It allows us to capture the complexities of the patients you work with every day in practice. Prior to 2017 all evaluations were coded the same, regardless of the time, effort, and critical thinking skills needed by the therapist to perform the service. Now that we have coding options, how do we know which evaluation code to choose? And why does it even matter? Data is being compiled and could result in increased reimbursement in the near future. Therefore, PTs and OTs are charged with the responsibility of using critical thinking to select a code that accurately reflects the complexity of the evaluation.
This course will discuss the dos and don’ts of complexity code selection and several reasons why it is important to choose correctly; including ethical and legal considerations. Several case examples will be provided to integrate theory into practice, as well as a Complexity Code Selection Guide. Return to the clinic ready to code confidently and accurately every time. 
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Artificial Intelligence in Rehab

Discover the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on healthcare in this engaging course designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers. Examine how AI is reshaping therapy practices, from personalized patient care to treatment planning, including the use of motion analysis and practice analysis metrics. From understanding existing AI tools to envisioning their future implications, attendees will delve into the dynamic landscape of AI in rehab.
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Improving Functional Success After Lower Extremity Amputation

In the US, there are over 150,000 lower extremity amputations each year, adding up to 300-500 amputations per day. Over half of amputations are due to vascular causes, and those who experience this type of amputation are at higher risk for various complications, including higher mortality rates. 
Given these statistics, it is of optimal importance for us as rehabilitation professionals to take on a multifaceted approach from the beginning, and focus on giving our patients the tools to continue on with healthy habits and continued mobility when they leave our care.
Physical and Occupational therapy professionals play an integral role in improving the lives and outcomes of those who have experienced lower extremity amputation, and through this podcast you will learn some valuable information for your toolkit to improve functional success when working with this population.
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Deep-Dive into Effective Dementia Care

Patients with dementia can certainly benefit from rehabilitation as much as adults without dementia. Rehabilitation clinicians need to best understand how to implement the treatment strategies and interventions suited to maximize engagement and adherence in those with these challenging conditions. This podcast is an expansion of Dr. Dawson’s podcast; “Evidence-Based Rehabilitation in Dementia Care: Using Strengths to Facilitate Optimal Outcomes” and spends more time elucidating the treatment strategies and techniques designed to improve communication and enhance participation with patients having Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

OASIS-E: A Targeted Comparison of the M1800 Items vs the GG Section

Accurate OASIS coding is essential for all home health clinicians due to the direct impact quality indicators will have on an agency’s star rating. With the CMS plan to move to a universal outcome measure for all post-acute settings, OASIS will become an important tool beyond home health. Payment through PDGM and PDPM are driven, at least in part, by improvement as measured through OASIS. This course will provide easy-to-use and understandable methods that will improve a clinician’s ability to provide correct coding to all OASIS M1800 items and compare them to the OASIS GG items. This podcast will provide sample questions throughout the course to ensure the participant’s understanding. Clinicians conducting OASIS assessments will immediately see an improved understanding of accurate OASIS coding, as will those participating in collaborative assessments now allowed by CMS.
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Practical Tips for Sensory Integration Sessions

This podcast dives into the essentials of sensory integration therapy in an approachable manner.   We will examine practical techniques, share insightful tips, and discuss real-life case studies to help you enhance your skills and confidence in working with children. Whether you're a seasoned therapist or just starting, this podcast provides valuable nuggets of wisdom to support you in creating meaningful therapeutic experiences for your young clients. Tune in and let's embark on this enriching journey together!
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Artificial Intelligence in Allied Healthcare

Similar to when the internet was budding, artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay, and developing an early understanding of avenues and limitations will help enhance the administration and management of AI in rehabilitation. Both the APTA (Stevens-Lapsley, 2023) and AOTA (Reynolds, 2023) have commented on the need for the inclusion of AI topics in clinical research as this technology is already deeply embedded in healthcare research and applications. This podcast will uncover current evidence-based uses of AI in the planning and directing of clinical activities while highlighting the administration and management of AI scope in the rehabilitation professions. Developing an understanding of where we are and where we are going is critical for the application of AI to promote best-practice approaches to care and achieve functional outcomes in occupation-based practice.
This course will explore the current climate of artificial intelligence application in the administration and management of therapy services. Clinicians will develop an understanding of these applications and the implications for current practices. By exploring the latest research on best-practice approaches to AI in healthcare, clinicians will be able to better plan for the application of AI into practice, be a voice for directing AI in their organizations, and maximize evidence-based AI approaches to facilitate patient outcomes in functional, activity-based plans of care.
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

Virtual Reality in Allied Health Education

There is a current shortage of healthcare faculty in the United States. This problem was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be a major issue in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing to name a few. With shortages of healthcare workers skyrocketing, there is added pressure to try to bring forward more qualified graduates to meet this need. Colleges must figure out how to adapt to reach this need and one such option is the integration of virtual reality (VR) technologies within curriculums. VR has the potential to reach greater numbers of learners while also taking patient simulations to the next level. This podcast will discuss what VR is and what it can do for PT and OT education. The technology is already here, are you ready?
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.

All About Crawling: The Developmental Implications of Crawling in Pediatric Therapy

When it was released in 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” developmental milestone checklists omitted crawling as a developmental milestone and has since been debated among pediatric PTs in the United States.  Creeping on all fours has long been a goal used by physical and occupational therapists to increase a child’s locomotion and progress their gross motor skills in route to standing and walking.  This course will address the shift in screening recommendations and provide a rationale for clinical decision-making.  In addition, information will be provided on the impacts of not crawling, components needed for crawling, and hands-on ideas for teaching this skill. 
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.
 

Dizziness in Concussion: Secrets of Rehabilitation Management

Research on the short- and long-term effects of concussions has evolved significantly in the past decade.  Rehabilitation professionals are often part of the medical professionals who help individuals recover from these injuries.  The recognition of concussions in populations from athletes to geriatrics and specifically how to treat the signs and symptoms of concussions is a key skill set.  This course will talk about concussions and specifically discuss one of the most common symptoms of dizziness in the concussed patient.  We will talk about the potential causes of dizziness and how to evaluate and treat these causes by using research and clinical examples. 
To view accreditation information and access completion requirements to receive a certificate for completing this course, please click here.
The content of this Summit podcast is provided only for educational and training purposes for licensed physical therapists and occupational therapists. This content should not be used as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.