As Jodi Moore, OTD, OT/L, CHT was approaching the end of her doctoral program and developing a capstone project, she reflected on the early part of her career. As a rural therapist, Jodi was limited to using textbooks to gain clinical knowledge, and wished she had the opportunity to be mentored. This reflection turned into a curriculum that could be used as a teaching tool so that experienced hand therapists (mentors) and novice therapists eager to break into the world of hand therapy could connect. The ASHT Education Division is very thankful to Jodi for sharing her valuable work and is excited to offer this curriculum as part of an exciting new initiative: The UE Institute.
The UE Institute is a new innovative online study tool developed to provide structure and support for new hand therapists, and to help mentoring pairs organize format and content. ASHT has already implemented a successful networking system to help pair new therapists with a mentor. The UE Institute is designed for therapists with 0-3 years of experience, and change of career therapists, looking for structured guided learning beyond the textbook level.
The format of the UE Institute is simple: Each month, a topic specific to hand and upper extremity rehabilitation will be presented online by an instructor along with sample test questions to encourage critical thinking. Participants will gain knowledge and clinical pearls related to assessments, science/anatomy of common diagnoses and interventions from experienced clinicians backed by references that are readily accessible. Participants will be provided with specific readings to complement each month’s lesson.
The UE Institute is one of the newest initiatives that is part of ASHT’s strategic plan to help foster learning, success and growth of new hand therapists. ASHT will be providing access to UE Institute lessons FREE to ASHT members. You must register for each month’s lesson. The first session will be on September 25, 2018, and will cover the clinical mechanics of the wrist and hand. Visit the UE Institute page for more information and a schedule of each month’s topics.