Provision and Justification of Optimally Fitted Manual Wheelchairs: Application of Published Clinical Practice Guidelines

Presented by:
Kendra Betz, MSPT, ATP and Mark R. Schmeler, PhD, OTR/L, ATP

Description:

Advancements in manual wheelchair technology provide people with disabilities the opportunity for improved function while minimizing known risks of upper limb pain and injury.  However, with a wide range of wheelchair technologies available, practitioners and suppliers are often challenged in recommending optimal equipment for their clients and carry the burden of justifying lightweight custom manual wheelchairs to funding sources.  This 90 minute seminar delivered in-person and over the internet will discuss appropriate manual wheelchair selection, configuration, and skills training with focus on application of the Clinical Practice Guideline for Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following Spinal Cord Injury, published by Paralyzed Veterans of America.  This document offers specific recommendations pertinent to all who use a manual wheelchair for primary mobility, serves as a practical and efficient reference for evidence-based justification, and provides guidance to seating and mobility professionals to optimize client outcomes. The seminar will present a practical approach for clinical implementation of the Guidelines relative to manual wheelchairs and will include suggested strategic language for letters of medical necessity with case examples to illustrate key points.

Learning Objectives:

Upon attending this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify common manual wheelchair configuration features that optimize support, function and propulsion biomechanics while reducing upper limb repetitive strain.
2. Become familiar with the PVA Clinical Practice Guideline for Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following Spinal Cord Injury document.
3. Learn to utilize this document to assist in guiding clinical practice and evidence-based justification of optimally fitted manual wheelchairs for specific individuals

Note: It is recommended that attendees download and review the Clinical Practice Guideline for Preservation of Upper Limb Function Following Spinal Cord Injury at the following website: http://www.pva.org/site/DocServer/upperlimb.pdf?docID=705

Speaker Information

Kendra Betz, MSPT, ATP

Kendra is a Physical Therapist and Assistive Technology Provider who specializes in Spinal Cord Injury, wheelchairs & seating, and adaptive sports. Kendra has worked with the Veterans Health Administration since 1993. She currently chairs the VA Prosthetics Clinical Management Program Integrated Product Team for Wheeled Mobility, manages a VA Program Evaluation System for the SmartWheel, and works with several other national committees and programs. Kendra is also involved with a number of education programs. She is the Director of Training for a Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation grant to provide nationwide education surrounding upper limb preservation in wheelchair users. Kendra has served as Clinical Faculty at the University of Washington, has published several chapters and articles, and teaches regularly at national and international forums.

Mark R. Schmeler, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP

An Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology. He has over 15 years of clinical experience providing wheeled mobility and seating interventions. From 1998 until 2005, he was the Director of the Center for Assistive Technology within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the clinical service component of the department that provides direct Assistive Technology interventions to people of all disability types. In his current role as faculty and clinician, he continues to develop and implement outcome measures and the application of evidence based practice. He is also involved in several Continuing Education activities, Telerehabilitation applications, and advocacy activities on a local and national level related to Assistive Technology funding and policy.

Continuing Education

For those who participate in this course either in-person or via the Web and who complete a course evaluation will receive 0.15 CEUs or 1 Contact hour.

Cost

$39.00

System Requirements

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Registration

On line credit card registration.

Complete the online registration form by clicking the link and be sure to provide your email address. Once your registration and payment is processed, you will be sent the link to the webinar as well as a course evaluation and any other instructions. Upon viewing the webinar, complete the course evaluation and return it to us and we will send you a certificate certifying that you attended the seminar.

Problem Registering?

Please e-mail Linda Szczepanski at szczepan@pitt.edu or call us at 412.586.6921 or Mark Schmeler at schmeler@pitt.edu

Contact Information

Linda Szczepanski, CMP
Continuing Education Administrator

Phone: 412-586-6921

Fax: 412-586-6923

E-mail: szczepan@pitt.edu

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