The ASHT Companion Clinic Program pairs a U.S. clinic or hand therapist with an individual in a developing country, providing a unique opportunity to create relationships between therapists practicing under a diverse set of circumstances.
Through regular communication, members pursue collaboration, clinical education and professional growth while promoting best practice in the field of hand therapy around the world. The Companion Clinic Program also offers members networking opportunities, the development of new skills, and the satisfaction of actively assisting in the standardization of hand therapy practice on a global scale.
Additionally, the ASHT International Committee is excited to announce your participation in the Companion Clinic Program can now earn you CEUs to be used toward certified hand therapist recertification under the Hand Therapy Certification Commission's Category E, similar to ASHT's Mentorship Program. For more information, please click here.
Following the completion of a simple online survey, the International Committee will pair interested U.S. members or clinics with their international counterparts based on need, expertise and language. The International Committee suggests scheduling regular monthly “appointments.” Internet applications such as Skype, Facetime or WhatsApp are strongly recommended, along with traditional email to discuss interesting topics, case studies or local barriers to practice. However, how often cohorts meet and topics discussed are completely up to each partnership.
Eligibility
Interested parties from a developing or underserved country do not need to be a member of ASHT to participate but access to the internet for video or chat messaging is strongly suggested as the most timely and economic means of communication. However, the particular method of communication will be decided by each partnership. The International Committee encourages contributors to post successful strategies and important information gleaned from the program on the ASHT international list serv site. We also urge participants to consult the Companion Clinic Communication Guide, a resource list for communication and information sharing across continents.
Perspective U.S. participants must be a current full or associate member of ASHT or have at least one member employed by the perspective clinic. Not all therapists in the clinic need to be ASHT members to participate in the sharing of information, and an individual member working alone in a clinic is also eligible. ASHT members who are currently in an academic setting or who are retired from practice are eligible as well and encouraged to participate. Your experience and expertise are needed!