Sharpen Those Musculoskeletal Skills : The What, When & Why to Applications

(February - March 2014)

SYNOPSIS
To achieve good patient outcomes in a fast-paced musculoskeletal outpatient clinic, physiotherapists must be effective and efficient in assessing a presenting musculoskeletal condition, identifying its causes or contributing factors and deriving a sound diagnosis that leads to the development of a holistic plan of management/treatment. This series of 4-short courses focuses on musculoskeletal assessments. It is structured to bring the participants through the entire process, from subjective to objective assessments, and the reasoning that happens throughout this process. Central to the series of courses, will be a few case studies about complex pain problems. A selection of basic skills and concepts will be introduced to allow participants to sharpen their acuity of these skills, building onto them and integrating the different concepts.

METHODOLOGY
Aiming to provide practical opportunities for the participants to hone their clinical reasoning skills, the courses will be delivered in an interactive format with lectures, practicum and case studies. All sessions are presented and facilitated by experienced Senior and/or Principal Physiotherapists who are knowledgeable in the subject fields.

TARGET AUDIENCE
This series of courses is suitable for junior physiotherapists working in musculoskeletal outpatient setting. useful for newly-graduated physiotherapists and physiotherapy students in their final year of studies. It is also

FOR ENQUIRIES & REGISTRATION

Email to AHINet@ttsh.com.sg

Course I : SUBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT DATE TIME : 15th February 2014 (Saturday) : 1.00pm - 5.00pm VENUE : Conference Room 3, TTSH Level 1 FEES : $100 SPA members. $120 non-SPA members

This 1st course of the series aims to bring participants through the process of subjective examination, enabling them to formulate bio-psycho-social hypotheses. Appropriate concepts such as ergonomics and pain management would be discussed alongside standard musculoskeletal-based interview. Participants are expected to practice their skills using case scenarios and clinical reasoning. Relevant assessment questionnaires will also be introduced.

SPEAKERS / FACILITATORS :
Ms Loy Fong Ling (Principal Physiotherapist) M Sc (Hon) Phty, M Sc Med (Pain Management) Ms Ngo Xueting (Senior Physiotherapist) M.Sc (Ergonomics for Health Professionals), B App Sc (Phty)

Course II : ASSESSMENT OF THE UPPER QUADRANT DATE TIME : 22nd February 2014 (Saturday) : 1.00pm - 5.00pm VENUE : Physiotherapy Outpatient, TTSH Level B1 FEES : $140 SPA members. $160 non-SPA members

In Course II, participants will continue with the subjective findings from the 1 st course, and learn to reason and plan appropriate objective assessment for complex pain in the upper quadrant. The upper quadrant includes cervical and thoracic spines, ribcage and the upper limb. Participants will review, modify and incorporate relevant assessment skills to achieve better accuracy and to gather secondary information. Key assessment tools include observation, manual therapy, neurodynamics and soft tissue examination.

SPEAKERS / FACILITATORS :
Ms Vernetta Wong (Senior Physiotherapist, Certified Lymphoedema Therapist) M Phty (Musculoskeletal Phty) B Hlth Sc (Phty) Mr Mark Chan (Senior Physiotherapist) M Musculoskeletal & Sports Phty, B Sc (Phty) (Hons)
Ms Sharika Udipi (Senior Physiotherapist) MPhty (Musculoskeletal Phty) B Hlth Sc (Phty), Dip Phty, Clinical Pilates

Course III : ASSESSMENT OF THE LOWER QUADRANT DATE TIME : 1st March 2014 (Saturday) : 1.00pm - 5.00pm VENUE : Physiotherapy Outpatient, TTSH Level B1 FEES : $140 SPA members. $160 non-SPA members

The objectives of Course III is similar to that of Course II but focused on the lower quadrant. Participants will learn to use appropriate skills for objective assessment for complex pain in the lower thoracic-lumbar spine, pelvis and lower limb. Clinical reasoning and differential diagnoses will be integrated throughout the session and a clinical impression for the case scenario will be deliberated.

SPEAKERS / FACILITATORS :
Mr Ringo Yee (Senior Physiotherapist) M Manual Therapy, B Sc (Hons) Phty Ms Lee Soak Yee (Senior Physiotherapist) M Musculoskeletal & Sports Phty, B Sc Phty, TPI (CGFI)
Mr Rahul Gadru (Senior Physiotherapist) M Phty, B Phty, Adv Dip Phty

Course IV : ASSESSING FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS & CONDITIONING LEVEL - FINDING OUT WHAT ELSE IS DYSFUNCTIONAL DATE TIME : 8th March 2014 (Saturday) : 1.00pm - 5.00pm VENUE : Physiotherapy Outpatient, TTSH Level B1 FEES : $100 SPA members. $120 non-SPA members

Continuing with the case studies in the earlier courses, pain signs and symptoms are expected to improve as the patients recuperate and return to higher activity levels. These signs and symptoms cannot be easily reproduced, and hence make it challenging to diagnose. Course IV focuses on assessing the elusive pain and locating the dysfunctions. These dysfunctions may exist remote to the painful area or present only after a high-loading activity. Participants learn how to apply and decipher functional assessments.

SPEAKERS / FACILITATORS :
Mr Haris Mohamed (Principal Physiotherapist) M Phty (Musculoskeletal), B Phty, TIP (CGFI) Mr Justin Wee (Senior Physiotherapist) M High Performance Sc, B Sc Phty
Mr Zaki Hairodin (Senior Physiotherapist) M Phty (Musculoskeletal) B Phty