UNIVERSITY of PITTSBURGH School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology
Course Syllabus Spring 2012
Course Title: Clinical Applications of Wheelchair Seating & Mobility
Course Number: HRS 3710
Instructors: Mark R. Schmeler, Ph.D., OTR/L, ATP, Rosemarie Cooper, M.P.T., PT, ATP
TA: Hassan Sarsak, OT
Time: Class, Tuesdays 5:00 to 7:50pm; Lab, Tuesdays or Wednesdays 1:00 to 3:50pm
Location: Center for Assistive Technology, 3010 Forbes Tower
Office Hours: by appointment
Office Location: Mark Schmeler: Bakery Square Phone/Voicemail: 412-760-1326 Email: [email protected] Rosemarie Cooper: Forbes Tower, Suite 3010 Oakland Campus Phone/Voicemail: 412-647-1315 Email: [email protected] Hassan Sarsak: Bakery Square Phone/Voicemail: (412) 799-3923 Email: [email protected]
Texts: None. All course material is housed on Courseweb and will be assigned for review at appropriate times during the semester.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is for students to develop knowledge and hands-on skill in the process of identifying and providing wheeled mobility and seating interventions to people of all ages and disability type. The course builds on previous coursework in the RST program. The class will be carried out specifically through a case based and evidence-based practice learning approach. Students are required to attend clinics and work with clinical faculty. Clinics will be followed by seminars where cases will be discussed. Readings will be assigned based on the presentation of the clients seen in the clinic. Students will be asked to research a variety of aspects of the clients seen and report their findings to the rest of the group in subsequent classroom sessions. Courseweb material will also be referred to for specific materials.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Apply the fundamental theories and principles of wheeled mobility and seating for individuals with a variety of disabilities across the lifespan. Successful completion of this criteria will be evidenced by the student being able to: a. Correctly identifying the underlying etiology and natural process of conditions that warrant the need for a wheeled mobility and seating intervention b. Discuss the developmental, functional, and psychosocial effects of independent mobility and its implications for prescription c. Compare and contrast effects of various seating and positioning interventions, especially their advantages and disadvantages for various medical needs, function, and psychosocial well being
2. Using the knowledge of and applying the assessment process for the determination and provision of wheeled mobility and seating interventions that will most appropriately meet an individual’s needs, students who complete this course will be able to: a. Conduct an appropriate client interview to obtain necessary background information as well as identify and prioritize client’s aims and goals b. Thoroughly review all client information and interact with other team members to gather additional background information c. Provide a brief synopsis of the client’s history to other team members d. Conduct a thorough physical/motor evaluation (if a clinician, i.e. OT or PT) in conjunction with other team members and under the supervision and direction of clinical faculty. OR, able to describe the necessary components of a physical motor assessment (if not a clinician) e. Return demonstrate skill in use of standardized and non- standardized assessment tools and procedures that assist clinicians in the decision making process (i.e. Few/FMA, TUG, Braden, seating simulators, clinical trials, pressure mapping, SmartWheel, etc.) f. Differentiate the interdisciplinary team roles in the process of evaluation, prescription, development, fabrication, and delivery of wheeled mobility and seating systems g. Prepare a comprehensive written wheeled mobility and seating evaluation with recommendations, specifications, and justifications (applying evidence-based practice) through the use of a standardized assessment protocol
3. To locate, analyze, assess, and apply evidence and other information related to wheeled mobility and seating interventions to assist with clinical decision making and justification of interventions, students who complete this course will be able to: a. Search databases (i.e. MEDLINE and other web-based resources), locate literature, and apply information accordingly to clinical situations b. Organize literature in a table or matrix to present information findings in an organized and coherent manner to others in clinical situations c. Access and organize information on several products and d. Make contacts with appropriate Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers and Manufacturers Representatives to assist in selecting products for specific cases
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend class, clinics, complete assigned readings prior to each class, participate in class discussions, lead class discussions related to readings and cases, complete written assignments, and conduct case presentations.
GRADING
Grading will be primarily (80%) based on the student’s ability to interact in the clinic with clients, class participation, case presentations, and presentation of material asked to be researched based on working with specific cases. Each student will be required to complete 2 final reports for specific cases. There will also be a mid-term and final examination related to material covered in the class. These exams will be oral in nature and might also require input from other students (i.e. team members).
Grading will be based on the following basis:
The student will: attend class actively participate in client services interact appropriately with clients, family members, caregivers, clinicians, staff, suppliers, and all other team members actively participate in discussions complete readings answer questions related to course materials and cases lead discussions demonstrate proficiency at an entry level within this field provide input to other team members able to locate, synthesize, and present information is able to complete a final report able to accurately answer questions in an oral manner all of the time = 90 to 100 points most of the time = 80 to 89 points sometimes but not as much as they should = 70 to 79 points rarely and not to the degree that would be expected = 60 to 69 points very rarely = 50 to 59
The other 20% of the final grade will be based on a written exam that includes true/falls and multiple choice questions. This exam will be administered at the end of the semester.
Academic Integrity Statement:
Students in this course will be expected to comply with the University of Pittsburgh's Policy on Academic Integrity. Any Student suspected of violating this policy for any reason during the semester will be required to participate in the process, initiate by the instructor level as outlined in the University Guidelines of Academic Integrity. This may include but not limited to the confiscation of the examination of any individuals suspected of violating University Policy. Furthermore, no student may bring any unauthorized material to examination, including dictionaries and programmable calculators.
Disabilities Statement:
Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability that requires special testing accommodations or other classroom modifications, you need to notify both the instructor and Disability Resources and Services
Students with special needs or a disability who require accommodations in the event of a building evacuation should e-mail the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at [email protected] to request the development of an individualized evacuation plan. A representative of this office will contact you for specific information.
Forbes Tower Building Evacuation Plan:
If the fire alarm rings, move to the nearest stairwell to our classroom, following the evacuation route listed on the map posted in the classroom. Proceed to the street level and convene in the parking lot on Sennott Avenue (between Meyran and Atwood Streets). Do not take the elevators.
Other Issues:
To ensure the free and open discussions of ideas, students may NOT record classroom lectures, discussions, and/or activities without the advance written permission of the instructor, and any such recording properly approved in advance can be used solely for the student's own private study.
Other Requirements:
In order to participate in the clinical setting, students must have completed the UPMC Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Class Participation/Internship Requirements Form (copy available on courseweb).
The following requirements need to be completed prior to the start of your internship or interactive class participation within CAT. Note: For observation only (<8 hours) refer to the CAT observation requirements form.
1) Purchase University of Pittsburgh liability insurance (Contact Jessica McGuire at 412-383-6551, 4019 Forbes Tower, Cost $12 for Pitt Students) 2) Tuberculin (PPD) test (Student Health Services at 412-383-1800, Cost $15 for Pitt students) 3) CPR certification (Student Health Services Health Education Office at 412- 383-1830) 4) Complete the Univ. of Pittsburgh s HIPAA physicians privacy awareness training by UPMC (Module 8) (http://rpf.health.pitt.edu/rpf/index.cfm) 5) Complete the Univ. of Pittsburgh s HIPAA physician security awareness training (Module 15) (http://rpf.health.pitt.edu/rpf/index.cfm)
Provide this form and copies of the above documentation to the CAT student coordinator, Annmarie Kelleher. Forbes Tower, Suite 3010 3600 Forbes Avenue at Atwood, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 [email protected]