In collaboration with the University of Colorado (CU), AHCA/NCAL offers an online educational program titled High Intensity Physical Rehabilitation in Medically Complex Populations for physical therapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation professionals (PT, PTA, OT, OTA). The course is on sale through April 30 for $300 - $195 off the regular AHCA/NCAL member price.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus released study findings in Fall 2020 showing that the average SNF length of stay patients decreases by 3.5 days when physical therapists use a high-intensity rehabilitative training program for their patients. In addition, walking speed from evaluation to discharge increased by 0.13/m/s which exceeds clinically meaningful changes in walking speed.
The course presents an evidence-based approach for the implementation of a high intensity progressive rehabilitation model as part of an evolution from current lower intensity post-acute treatment approaches to address myriad patient needs. Rehabilitation professionals will have access to an interactive multimedia learning experience including responsive, self-paced presentation of foundational concepts, simulated case scenarios, and a moderated discussion environment for learning with fellow clinicians - all informed by the latest learning science and innovative technology.
The goal of the course is to teach rehabilitation professionals better methods of addressing functional decline due to underlying medical complexity and deconditioning from hospitalizations or illness. This self-paced course contains nine learning modules. Each module has an interactive lesson. Some modules have quizzes, some have Slack channel discussions, and some have case simulations to test the mastery of the subject matter. The course concludes with the Post-Assessment/Final Exam and survey.
CU recommends that the course be taken over a six to eight-week period to allow rehab professionals time to implement and practice the concepts as they are learned. Documentation will be provided by AHCA/NCAL to rehab professionals who successfully complete the course, so that they can apply to their respective state licensing boards for continuing education credits.
The course fee is just $300 through April 30 for all registrants. After that date, registration is $495 for an employee or contracted employee registering as affiliated with an AHCA member facility and $595 for all other non-member registrants. Individuals will register and pay for the course through the ahcancalED platform at this web site: ahcancal.org/restoreregistration. Then, within 48 hours, registrants will receive further instructions on how to go to the CU platform and enroll in the course and begin their coursework.
Questions about the program should be directed to educate@ahca.org.