Skill Works Skill Works News

Calibrated Target to assess Joint Position Error (JPE download)

Rob Landel — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:40:37 GMT

I've created a PDF file with a target that is calibrated to easily identify errors in joint position sense (cervical kinesthesia) outside of expected norms. Click here to access the file. Many Thanks to Julia Treleaven, PT, PhD. Instructions for set-up are included. Copies are permitted for personal use, as long as the sources remain intact.

Things you'll need:

Laser pointer, mounted on the patient's head
Tape Measure
Target
A Patient

We have Lasers!

Rob Landel — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:56:02 GMT

After much trial and tribulation, we finally received a shipment of head lamps with laser pointers in them. What a great way to start the New Year! These are the ones I use to assess cervical joint position error.

Click here if you're interested in buying one. $30 per laser (includes shipping fee) each one takes three AAA batteries.

Following the principles of evidence-based practice?

Rob Landel — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:02:39 GMT

It's a difficult task, I know: trying to manage your current patient load, keeping up with your paperwork, getting your progress notes done in a timely manner... who has time for evidence-based practice?

We all want to do the best we can for our patients. Doing so requires that we keep abreast of the latest developments in our area of practice. That's not easy when you're juggling a full patient load, and probably a family life as well. Here are some tricks that have helped me over the years:

Utilize "Push" technology: when you actively search the web for information, whether you're using Google, Google Scholar or Pub Med, you are "pulling" the information to you. Information that comes to you automatically, on a regular basis, uses "push" technology. An example of this is setting up your e-mail program so that your e-mail is delivered automatically, or "pushed" to you. Here are other examples, useful in EBP:

RSS, or Rich Site Summary: By clicking on the RSS icon at the top of this page, and picking your RSS reader application (often the browser you're using right now will suffice), you'll be automatically notified whenever content on this website changes.
Have the table of contents sent to you automatically: this can be set up easily with pretty much any journal you subscribe to. As a member of the APTA (you are a member, aren't you?), you can have the PT Journal table of contents sent to you each month. Section members can have their journals also e-mailed to them (JOSPT for orthopedics and sports, and Neurology Report for neurology).
Save your searches: If you've performed research using pub med, there's a link in the upper right corner that allows you to save your search. If any articles are posted to augment that match your search criteria, you be notified by e-mail. How easy is that?
Utilize the "Related Articles" feature: often, when you've found an interesting article on the publisher's website, you'll see a link to "Related Articles." A great example of this is the journal Manual Therapy. Some websites list articles that cited the article that you're reading in their reference list; you can bet that those articles are also related.
Utilize the "Notify Me" feature: this is another example of "push" technology. You'll be notified when the article you're reading is cited by a new article. Again, it's likely the new article is related to the one being cited.

Make it a habit: try to make it a regular part of your day or week to take time to do a little reading. I actually schedule a time in my calendar, literally. This doesn't necessarily mean that I read articles at that time. It may be that I just peruse the table of contents for a particular journal (Physical Therapy, for example). If I see anything interesting, I'll read the abstract. If it really looks interesting, I'll try to get a full text copy of the article.

Distribute the load: work together with your colleagues at work, or friends in the profession. If several people read one or two articles a week or even a month, and then you're able to share your findings and how they relate to your clinical practice, you'll find it much easier to stay on top of a wide range of topics.

I hope these tips help. Let me know how you're doing!

Use Skill Works for a 15% discount!

Rob Landel — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:36:49 GMT

Register for ANY Educata online course through Skill Works and receive a 15% discount on the course. Be sure to use the link provided below; your discount will be applied at checkout.

Skill Works partners with Educata

Rob Landel — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:42:26 GMT

I am actually Educata's first e-professor. For quite some time I've wanted to put my lectures online, for many reasons:

more people can easily access the information;
you can learn at your own pace;
you can learn on a time that is convenient to you;
the lecture material is well-suited for online delivery;
the on-site courses can be primarily lab time, optimizing your time with the instructors;
you can come to the course better prepared to discuss the material, and get answers to your questions;
you don't really need to travel to hear me talk, wouldn't you rather spend your time with me practicing techniques?

Educata has a solid online platform with easy registration. They are owned and run by physical therapists, and believe in elevating the level of PT practice. I think that combining online and on-site education is the future of continuing education, and Educata shares that philosophy. Let me know what you think!