Continuing Education
UPCOMING SESSIONS
Date | Time | Topic | Speakers | Registration link |
| May 24th, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 EST | Measurements for manual wheelchairs: details make a big difference (1 contact hour - 0.1 CEU) | Erin Maniaci, PT, DPT | |
| June 14th, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 EST | Why weight matters in manual wheelchair selection and component selection (1 contact hour - 0.1 CEU) | Erin Maniaci, PT, DPT |
*Schedule subject to change. Full CEU course description is below.
**CEU Presentations sponsored by Motion Composites, on websites outsite of our organization may incur in fees.
ANATOMY OF A WHEELCHAIR: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
When selecting an appropriate manual wheelchair, we often focus on the features and benefits of the selected product; or default to the familiar. However, we may be doing our clients a disservice by not considering the form and function of the wheelchair. How does design and material selection impact functional performance, and can it make a difference for our clients?
CLIENT CENTERED: WE SAY IT, BUT ARE WE DOING IT?
When prescribing equipment, we try to be as client centered as possible. However, it is a balancing act to make sure the goals of the client are being met while accommodating for therapeutic goals as well. How much of your prescription would you say is based on the client's opinion and knowledge? What is the therapist's opinion and knowledge? How much is the dealer’s opinion or motive? Or how much is based on the funding source?
Other ceu courses available
CHANGES WITH AGE – GIVING YOU THE JUSTIFICATION FOR CUSTOM MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS FOR THE GERIATRIC CLIENT
The geriatric client can be easily overlooked as one who could benefit from a custom fitting, ultralightweight, adjustable manual wheelchair. They are too often provided the "basic" wheelchair without much thought.
CAMBER: DEGREES OF PERFORMANCE
Cambered wheels are most often associated with adapted sports, however, some of the best candidates do not even participate in sports. Often overlooked, there are populations of wheelchair users, outside of wheelchair sports, who would greatly benefit from cambered wheels on their daily chairs.
CLIENT CENTERED PRESCRIPTIONS: WE SAY IT, BUT ARE WE DOING IT
There are many elements which come into play when prescribing a wheelchair and it can be difficult to make sure you are truly staying client-centered. This presentation will review the process of a wheelchair prescription while managing the client, therapist, dealer and funding sources interests. We will highlight key points which lead to successful prescriptions as well as client satisfaction, decreasing risk of equipment abandonment.
CENTER OF GRAVITY - WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?
What does center of gravity really refer to and how does it impact the function of a manual wheelchair? In this program, we will review evidence related to COG selection, adjustment, and optimal manual wheelchair performance, and discuss the clinical significance in optimizing functional performance.
K0005 FUNDING: ENSURING APPROPRIATE ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT
For a client, funding can be the element of a manual wheelchair prescription which can stand between unwanted dependency and maximizing independence. For a therapist, the balance between determining payment for complex rehab equipment and recommending the most appropriate equipment can be a difficult and frustrating part of the process when it is not fully understood.
What's in a Back? Clinical Considerations for Matching Client to Product
All back supports are not created equal. This course will look at the importance of proper back selection as an integral portion of the seating and mobility assessment. Clinical implications differ and solutions must be individual and meet the client’s need. Knowledge of anatomy of the back, shoulders, pelvis and key bony prominences is imperative to know what back support to select.
Why weight matters
Wheelchair manufacturers often promote having the lightest wheelchairs made of the lightest materials. Does this matter? And, if so, how much? Understanding the benefits of a lighter manual wheelchair is important for the client and anyone involved in the prescription of manual wheelchairs. The decisions made when ordering and configuring a wheelchair will impact the weight and can have a significant effect on the client’s function, independence and safety.
Measurements for Manual Wheelchairs: Details Make a Big Difference
The manual wheelchair assessment and set-up is individual to the client and is therefore a complex and intricate process. Decisions made during this process can be the difference between client satisfaction and equipment abandonment. The results can have an effect on the users’ health, level of independence and
overall quality of life.
MAXIMIZING MANUAL WHEELCHAIR PROPULSION EFFICIENCY
Considering the energy required for a client to propel a manual wheelchair every day, and the resulting forces that impact the health of the upper extremity, it is imperative to consider the importance of manual wheelchair propulsion efficiency. An individual who can propel efficiently throughout the day will have a greater potential to reach further distances while maintaining a higher level of energy and function.
Anatomy of a Manual Wheelchair: Clinical Implications
When selecting an appropriate manual wheelchair, we often focus on the features and benefits of the selected product; or default to the familiar. However, we may be doing our client’s a disservice by not considering the form and function of the wheelchair.
What's in a cushion? Clinical Considerations for Matching Client to Product
The anatomy of the pelvis is the same for everyone, with some slight differences between male and female, so why is there not just one cushion for everyone? This course will review the critical bony prominences with an in-depth look at how to measure the client and how to relate those measurements to both the seating system and the wheelchair base.
University of Pittsburgh
Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology
The University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology (RSTCE) is certifying the educational contact hours of these programs and by doing so is in no way endorsing any specific content, company or product. The information presented in these programs may represent only a sample of appropriate interventions. Each person should claim only the hours of credit that they actually spent in the educational activity.
