Physical and occupational therapists' learning needs and preferences for education on functional electrical stimulation: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is an evidence-based intervention that is rarely used by Canadian physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs). A common barrier to FES implementation is a lack of knowledge and training. FES learning resources that meet therapists' learning needs and preferences may address this barrier.

Continuing Professional Development in Response to COVID-19: Knowledge Mobilization for Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy via a Curated Web Site.

Purpose: Once the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, clinicians were redeployed to prepare for increased hospitalizations. This disruption necessitated rapid continuing professional development (CPD) resources for health care providers. This mixed-method study explored the experiences of occupational therapists and physiotherapists who accessed a CPD Web site that provided educational resources related to the pandemic to refresh their clinical knowledge and skills.

The 3D muscle morphology and intramuscular innervation of the digital bellies of flexor digitorum profundus: Clinical implications for botulinum toxin injection sites.

Spasticity of flexor digitorum profundus is frequently managed with botulinum toxin injections. Knowledge of the 3D morphology and intramuscular innervation of the digital bellies of flexor digitorum profundus is necessary to optimize the injections. The purpose of this study was to digitize and model in 3D the contractile and connective tissue elements of flexor digitorum profundus to determine muscle morphology, model and map the intramuscular innervation and propose sites for botulinum toxin injection.

Reliability and Validity of Shoulder and Handgrip Strength Testing.

This study aimed to estimate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the JTECH computerized, wireless apparatus and its validity (compared to established devices) for measurements of maximal shoulder isometric strength and handgrip strength among healthy adults with no shoulder pathology. Twenty healthy young adults had shoulder strength tested with JTECH and Micro-FET2 hand-held dynamometers, and the handgrip strength was tested using JTECH and Jamar handgrip dynamometers. Assessments were performed by the same rater to determine intra-rater reliability and convergent validity, at least two days apart, while on a third visit, the other rater performed measures to determine inter-rater reliability.

Intramuscular aponeuroses and fiber bundle morphology of the five bellies of flexor digitorum superficialis: A three-dimensional modeling study.

Restoring balanced function of the five bellies of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) following injury requires knowledge of the muscle architecture and the arrangement of the contractile and connective tissue elements. No three-dimensional (3D) studies of FDS architecture were found in the literature. The purpose was to (1) digitize/model in 3D the contractile/connective tissue elements of FDS, (2) quantify/compare architectural parameters of the bellies and (3) assess functional implications.

What is 'disability'? Exploring the conceptions of internationally educated learners in a Canadian physical therapy bridging program.

Background: Physiotherapists' understanding of disability has direct relevance for their practices and work with disabled people.

Purpose: To explore how physiotherapists from diverse backgrounds, cultures and social locations conceptualize disability. Understanding their conceptualizations will provide insight to determine future directions regarding disability education, in healthcare education, to optimize the quality of care and life for individuals with disabilities.

Overview of Innervation of Shoulder and Acromioclavicular Joints.

Detailed understanding of the course and location of articular nerves supplying the shoulder joint is paramount to the successful utilization of image-guided radiofrequency ablation to manage chronic shoulder pain. In this article, the origin, course, and relationship to anatomic landmarks of articular nerves supplying the shoulder and acromioclavicular joints are discussed. The shoulder joint capsule was consistently reported to receive innervation from multiple sources including the suprascapular, axillary, subscapular, and lateral pectoral nerves.

Development and Initial Evaluation of Psychometric Properties of a Pain Competence Assessment Tool (PCAT).

Competency-based education is now considered the best approach for pain educational programs provided for pre and postgraduate healthcare providers (HCPs). To demonstrate learners' progression, an assessment tool that aligns with this educational approach and targets different HCPs is needed. A Pain Competence Assessment Tool (PCAT) was developed based on the pain management core competencies that align with the International Association for the Study of Pain interprofessional pain curriculum.

Clinical Performance Scores of Internationally Educated Physical Therapists during Clinical Education in a Bridging Programme.

We describe the numerical ratings assigned by clinical instructors to the performance of internationally educated physical therapists (IEPTs) during their clinical internships while enrolled in a bridging programme. We conducted a secondary analysis of the quantitative data for IEPT learners attending the Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapist Bridging Program using the Canadian Physiotherapy Assessment of Clinical Performance (ACP) tool. We extracted the scores from each IEPT's ACP form at the midterm and final evaluations for two internships and conducted a descriptive analysis.

Simulation Experiences in Canadian Physiotherapy Programmes: A Description of Current Practices.

Although health care professional education programmes around the world are increasingly using sophisticated simulation technology, the scope of simulation use in Canadian physiotherapy programmes is currently undefined. The current study explores the definitions of simulation, its current use, and the perceived benefits and barriers in Canadian entry-to-practice physiotherapy programmes. Using a qualitative, descriptive study approach, we contacted Canadian physiotherapy programmes to identify faculty members with simulation experience.

Clinical Instructors' Perspectives on the Clinical Education of Internationally Educated Physical Therapists: Diversity's Impact on the Experience.

The aim of this study was to understand the nature and extent of clinical instructors' (CIs') involvement in the clinical education of internationally educated physical therapists (IEPTs) while exploring CIs' perceptions of the similarities among and differences between IEPTs and Canadian-trained students. In this qualitative descriptive study, 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted with CIs who were involved in a bridging programme for IEPTs. Data were coded using NVivo version 10, and common themes emerged through qualitative thematic analysis.

An Innovative Program to Support Internationally Educated Health Professionals and Their Instructors: Role of the Clinical Practice Facilitator.

Introduction: Internationally educated health professionals immigrating to other countries may experience difficulty in clinical practice, due to linguistic and cultural factors. An important element of bridging is the opportunity for internationally educated health professionals to practice in a clinical environment. To support these health professionals and their clinical instructors, a Clinical Practice Facilitator (CPF) role was created.

Hand-arm vibration syndrome: Workers' experience with functional impairment and disability.

Study Design: Qualitative and descriptive study.

Introduction: Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a prevalent disease in Canada. There is little work on the perspectives of HAVS patients.

Glove Use and Glove Education in Workers with Hand Dermatitis.

Background: Occupational skin diseases are common. The occurrence of occupational skin diseases represents a failure of primary prevention strategies that may include the use of personal protective equipment, most commonly gloves.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe current glove use and education practices related to gloves in workers being assessed for possible work-related hand dermatitis.

Attitudes toward Adults with Intellectual Disability: A Survey of Ontario Occupational and Physical Therapy Students.

Purpose: To examine attitudes of students in Ontario master's degree programmes in occupational therapy (MScOT) and physical therapy (MScPT) toward adults with intellectual disability (ID).

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey study was conducted. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to 1,255 MScOT/PT students at five Ontario universities via email, using a modified Dillman approach.

The effect of hand-arm vibration syndrome on quality of life.

Background: It is important to determine how hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a common occupational condition, affects quality of life (QOL).

Aims: To measure the physical (SF12-P) and mental (SF12-M) components of QOL in workers with HAVS, using the SF12 questionnaire, and to determine the effect of the vascular, sensorineural and musculoskeletal components of HAVS on QOL.

Methods: Subjects were recruited consecutively from workers with HAVS attending an occupational medicine clinic.

Hand and upper extremity function in workers with hand dermatitis.

Background: Traditional methods of assessing impairment associated with skin conditions focus on clinical severity, medication usage, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Assessment of function and ability to work may provide important additional information when determining readiness to work.

Objectives: The objective was to gain an understanding of the functional impairment of the hand and upper extremity associated with hand dermatitis and the impact of hand dermatitis on quality of life, work instability, and productivity.

DASH work module in workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Background: The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand work module (DASH-W) questionnaire has not previously been described in relation to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

Aims: To measure work-related disability in workers with HAVS using the DASH-W questionnaire and to determine how the various components of HAVS affect the DASH-W score.

Methods: Workers with HAVS from a variety of industries were assessed over a 2-year period at the occupational health clinic, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto.

Upper extremity disability in workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Background: Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a common occupational problem and it is important to understand the disability associated with this condition.

Aims: To measure upper extremity disability using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire in workers with HAVS and to determine how this disability is affected by the vascular and neurological components of HAVS and other factors, in particular musculoskeletal variables.

Methods: Subjects were recruited from HAVS patients assessed at St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada, over a 2-year period.

Clinical specialists and advanced practitioners in physical therapy: a survey of physical therapists and employers of physical therapists in ontario, Canada.

Purpose: Opportunities to expand the role of physical therapists (PTs) have evolved to include clinical specialists and advanced practitioners, although the literature on these roles is limited. We examined perceptions of PTs and PT employers in Ontario regarding clinical specialization and advanced practice.

Methods: Using a modified Dillman approach, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with 500 PTs and 500 PT employers in Ontario.

Reliability and validity of the AGREE instrument used by physical therapists in assessment of clinical practice guidelines.

Background: The AGREE instrument has been validated for evaluating Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) pertaining to medical care. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of physical therapists using the AGREE to assess quality of CPGs relevant to physical therapy practice.

Methods: A total of 69 physical therapists participated and were classified as generalists, specialist or researchers.

Falls from trucks: a descriptive study based on a workers compensation database.

Background: Falls from heights, including falls from nonmoving trucks, are a known cause of serious workplace injuries [1,2,4,6,7,14,15]. Subsequent to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario implementing an industry sector management approach for service delivery the principle author noted a number of serious injuries as a consequence of falls from trucks or truck trailers. A literature search revealed limited articles, specifically relating to injuries sustained in falls from trucks or truck trailers.