Foundations of Hand Therapy ecourse

This intensive one-day seminar offers a foundational understanding of hand therapy principles and essential assessment and intervention techniques for healthcare professionals. Participants will gain practical knowledge of hand and wrist anatomy, common pathologies, and basic rehabilitative strategies. The seminar emphasizes hands-on practice of key assessment tools, including goniometry, manual muscle testing, grip/pinch strength, neural function, edema, and fine motor skills. It also covers crucial elements like tissue healing, wound care, an overview of modalities, and fundamental treatment principles to enhance clinical proficiency in evaluating and beginning treatment of upper extremity conditions.

Course Requirements:

Computer with internet and working speakers/sound are required for this course.
Course must be completed within 30 days of activation (activate course within 6 months of purchase).
An online multiple-choice quiz (80% passing score) and submission of an online evaluation form are required for successful completion.
A certificate of completion will be available to print immediately after course is successfully completed.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify key anatomical structures of the hand and wrist relevant to therapeutic intervention
Demonstrate accurate application of goniometry to measure joint range of motion in the hand and wrist.
Perform manual muscle testing (MMT) to assess the strength of intrinsic and extrinsic hand muscles.
Utilize standardized dynamometers for reliable measurement of grip and pinch strength.
Conduct basic neural function tests to screen for sensory and motor deficits in the upper extremity.
Accurately assess and document edema using appropriate measurement techniques.
Administer and interpret basic standardized tests for fine motor skills and dexterity.
Explain the basic phases of tissue healing and key considerations for wound care.
Identify indications, contraindications, and basic application of common therapeutic modalities (heat, cold, electrical stimulation).
Describe common hand and wrist conditions and discuss fundamental principles of hand therapy intervention, including basic splinting and therapeutic exercise.

Course Instructor(s)

Sarah C. Donley

OTD, MD, OTR/L, CHT, COMT-UL, ITOT

Sarah C. Donley is a highly accomplished and experienced Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist, with a diverse background in clinical practice, academia, and research. She holds a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, an M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University.
Sarah currently serves as an Instructor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University, a role she began in July 2023. Prior to this, she was an Adjunct at the Institute for Occupational Therapy Education at Widener University, and worked as a Certified Hand Therapist at Cooper University Healthcare and NovaCare Rehabilitation.
Sarah is also an active contributor to her field through research and professional presentations. She is a published author in the Annals of Plastic Surgery and has presented her work at prestigious conferences, including the American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire Annual Conference and the American Society of Hand Therapists Annual Meeting. Her research focuses on the alignment of fieldwork experiences with hand therapy education and the perceptions of fieldwork educators.

Course Agenda

15 Minutes

Welcome and Introduction

75 Minutes

Functional Anatomy of the Hand and Wrist

60 Minutes

Objective Assessment Techniques - Part 1

60 Minutes

Objective Assessment Techniques - Part 2

60 Minutes

Assessment of Edema

30 Minutes

Assessment of Fine Motor Skills

30 Minutes

Tissue Healing Timelines & Wound Care

30 Minutes

Common Hand and Wrist Conditions & Basic Treatment Principles & Modalities Overview

30 Minutes

Documentation, Clinical Pearls

30 Minutes

Q&A, Wrap-up

7.0 Hours

Total

Contact hours pre-approved for:

7 Hours
This course meets PDU requirements for NBCOT (7 PDUs)
CIAO is an Illinois Approved Provider for PT/PTA Continuing Education
CIAO is recognized as an Approved Provider for PT/PTAs by the NYSE Dept State Board for PT
This activity is provided by the Texas Board of PT Examiners Accredited Prov #2802009TX
This activity meets continuing competence requirements for PT/PTA license renewal in TX
The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE
The Physical Therapy Board of California recognizes CIAO Seminars as an Approval Agency to Approve Providers Offering Continuing Competency Courses
The Physical Therapy Board of California has determined that CIAO meets the standards set forth in section 1399.95 of the CA Code of Regulations
CIAO is a Rule Approved Provider for the Florida Board of Physical Therapy
CIAO is an Approved Provider for the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
Approved for:
7 Hrs. PT/PTAs in IL, TX (TX(7 CCUs, APTA#2802009TX)
8 Hrs. OT/COTAs, PT/PTAs in FL (CE Broker #20-1388059)
8.4 Hrs. PT/PTAs in NY
7 Hrs. Registered with CEBroker for OT/COTAs in AL, AZ, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN
7 Hrs. Registered with CEBroker for PT/PTAs in AR, AZ, GA, OK, SC, V.I

Course meets requirements for:

Meets Requirements for:

PT/PTAs in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, MT,

PT/PTAs in NE, NH, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY

OT/COTAs in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT,

OT/COTAs in NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

CIAO Automatically reports to CE Broker for Florida Occupational and Physical Therapists and Assistants. Florida SLPs can either use the ASHA CE Participant Form (Bubble Sheet) or self-submit through CE Broker.

CIAO is recognized on the NBCOT Provider Registry (meets PDU requirements for NBCOT)