Continuing Education

Offering continuing education is an important part of our mission in the Division of Physical Therapy of service to the State of North Carolina. Our diverse and talented faculty offer continuing education through a variety of avenues including face-to-face courses in Chapel Hill and through the North Carolina AHEC system. Online continuing education modules are also in development. All continuing education offered through UNC-CH is approved by the North Carolina Board of PT Examiners for Continued Competence credits (10 contact hours equivalent to 1 CEU).

Courses by UNC Faculty offered through AHEC or other organizations

APTA Clinical Instructor Credentialing Course - offered by Lisa Johnston, PT, MS, DPT

April 13-14, 2012 in Charlotte, NC

Registration deadline March 16, 2012 - limited to first 40 clinicians

Sponsored by Carolina Clinical Education Consortium and Carolinas Rehabilitation. For more information, refer to the clinical education portion of our website (button on the left).

APTA Neurology Section Course

We are pleased to host a course developed by a team of a dozen APTA Neurology Section researchers and clinicians that addresses neuroplasticity. This course is scheduled for its first delivery at CSM 2012 in Chicago. Chapel Hill will be its first "regional program" stop. We are awaiting more information about the two speakers who will share this content with us, and will post that information when it becomes available.

Neurologic Practice Essentials: Exploring Neuroplasticity and its Rehabilitation Implications

April 28-29, 2012

Course Description:

As neuroscience advances, therapists are challenged to remain current with new concepts and their
translation to clinical practice. This 2‐day course was developed to update clinicians on the current scientific
understandings of neuroplasticity processes as well as behavioral and non‐behavioral variables which underlie changes in
movement and function in persons with movement dysfunction. Lectures will present animal, human, and clinical research
responsible for shifting the paradigm of rehabilitation and will culminate in discussions about potential key clinical practice
questions and suggestions for structuring intervention. Video cases in neurodevelopment, neurotrauma, and
neurodegenerative disorders will provide opportunity for collaborative small group activities and discussions appraising
how neuroplasticity research is relevant to and feasible in clinical practice.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Identify basic neuroanatomy and neurophysiological processes as they relate to advances in neuroplasticity research;
• Identify the multifactorial variables which may influence neuroplasticity and rehabilitation management;
• Critically examine current neuroplasticity concepts and discuss their clinical relevance related to individuals with neurodevelopmental, neurotrauma and neurodegenerative disorders;
• Discuss “take home messages” for practice, including designing interventions that can be implemented in the clinical environment; and
• Identify clinical barriers to the delivery of evidence based practice and suggest potential solutions

Watch this spot for more information about registration as details become available.

APTA Advanced Clinical Practice Courses

We are pleased to co-sponsor these high-quality courses developed by APTA and taught by nationally known experts.

The Medically Complex Geriatric Patient: Assessment, Examination and Rehabilitation Interventions

April 14-15, 2012

Faculty: Jennifer Bottomley, PhD, MS, PT

Course Description: This intermediate two day seminar focuses on changes specific to the aging process that lead to decreased function and loss of independence in the elderly. The course applies evidence-based principles to consider assessment, examination, and rehabilitation interventions appropriate for the medically complex older adult. A range of appoaches to deliver content (video, hands-on, demonstration and practice) is used to address intervention across all care settings to promote effective clinical decision making. Preventative and screening strategies to identify risk factors for falls and frailty are provided. Practical approaches that address current practice constraints are addressed including discussion of reimbursement and legislative issues that influence practice. All participants are asked to bring a write-up of a difficult case study for evaluation, discussion and clinical decision making in small groups. The focus of this course will be an interdisciplinary approach to gaining strength, flexilibility and function in the inactive and medically complex elderly.

Continuing education unit credit: 1.375 CEUS (12 hours live course attendance, .5 hour for require pre-course readings, 1 hour for required post-test completed online)

Registration: $349 APTA members, $529 non-members

For course objectives, specific topics, and required readings will be posted here. Online registration for the course is through APTA Learning Center (specifics about 2012 courses should be available soon). 

Location: Bondurant Hall, 321 S. Columbia Street, UNC-Chapel Hill campus (see directions to the BELL TOWER DECK for closest parking in portlet at upper right. Print a copy of Map of Health Affairs campus for the "big picture" if needed).

On-site registration is possible on the day of the course, please contact Karen McCulloch, by Friday April 13 to confirm space for on-site sign up.

For continuing education suggestions or questions, please contact Karen McCulloch, PT, PhD, NCS,
Assistant Director for Distance and Continuing Education.