Volume II, Issue 2: April-June 2002
JANUARY 2002 QUESTION OF THE QUARTER...
In January we asked our members to comment on the need for mandatoy CEU's.
We would like to thank all of our peers that responded to share their thought
provoking perspectives. There is also an editorial in the September 2001
edition of Physical Therapy by Jules M Rothstein, PT, PhD, FAPTA. Dr.
Rothstein questions assumptions and offers thought-provoking commentary on
the issue of continuing education.
"I think this is long overdue. I have been a therapist for over 16 years
and do continue to take con ed although it is harder to find something
interesting. I know many therapists who do not take any courses and their
skills stay minimal. Granted, some therapists may not need as many as a
manual therapist, but a bare minimum is mandatory".................
[email protected]
"...mandating CEUs requires available CE coursework worth the money and
worthwhile to EBP. We cannot allow any con ed, with the emphasis on the con,
that is currently out there, to be used for CEU credit. I am afraid we are
not ready to do this right and the evidence in medicine is that it does not
improve practice, especially EBM. Please do not make it mandatory for
therapists to go out and take coursework, or even encourage it as one of the
alternatives, until we have enough scientifically or EBPly worthwhile
coursework. Otherwise, we will make matters worse!!!!!!"Kay Cerny, PT
"Yes CEU's should be mandatory. I see too many PT's out there that have been
practicing for 10 years and never had any more con ed since college. No, con
ed does not mean that you are now an expert at a certain area, but it does
show that you are interested in learning more and helping to progress our
field. I am all for mandatory CEU's. Thanks", Jenni Johnson Gabelsberg MScPT,
MTC
"I believe continuing education is a good idea for the profession. As
mandatory CEU'S are being considered, I think that it will be important to
consider what skills our profession values and make these skills a priority
when developing a program. It would also be a good idea to look at other
professions with continuing education requirements to see how best to offer
classes that will offer information and techniques that can be carried over
to daily practice. The last thing that anyone wants is just another hurdle
to overcome that has no bearing on the quality of services that we provide"
Mike Bennett
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APRIL 2002 QUESTION OF THE QUARTER
Discussion of the entry level and transitional DPT degrees has been prominent
in the PT education community for the pastfew years. PTs are referred to as
"Doctors of Physical Therapy" in the vision statement of the APTA for year
2020.
THE QUESTION?
Many advocates of the DPT degree feel that "it will enhance the quality of
physical therapy services and patient care, encourage direct access in all
states and ensure the profession's continued growth" - www.apta.org. Do you
agree with this claim?
HOW CAN YOU RESPOND?
Email the district at [email protected], all responses will be published
in the next newsletter.
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SEE US ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Are you interested in finding out more information about the Long Beach/South
Bay District of the APTA? We are on the web at www.geocities.com/lbsbapta.
Please let us know how we can serve you better. Email us at
[email protected].
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Hooked on Evidence Update
The Hooked on Evidence project has finally progressed to the stage of
recruiting volunteers to begin reviews of the literature. All volunteer
groups are searching for articles to assess the effectiveness of a physical
therapy intervention on a given diagnosis (i.e. lumbar stabilization exercise
to decrease pain in patients with lumbar HNP, NDT to increase trunk stability
post CVA, etc.). The APTA has hired a full-time librarian to help groups
with their searches. After an exhaustive review of the literature has been
conducted and entered into a structured online abstract form, an expert panel
will be convened to determine if there is evidence in the literature to
support the intervention.
Chris Powers, with the help of local representatives, is coordinating
volunteer groups from California with the national APTA to ensure that there
is no redundancy in the topics that groups are selecting. In the next month,
the Long Beach/South Bay District will be sending out mailings to educate its
members on the project and recruit volunteers. Please go to www.ccapta.org
or contact Mike Bennett at [email protected] for more information
about the project.
how dues are spent. She emphasized the benefits of belonging to the APTA
including legislative representation, networking opportunities, available
discounts, and student involvement. Oliver de la Paz shared how and why he
got involved in the district as a PTA representative. Azmina focused on the
importance of long-range career goals and the changing health care
environment. She also encouraged them to get two years of general clinical
background before specializing. Azmina discussed legislative issues that the
APTA has been able to fight for us and the importance of supporting the APTA
to protect our profession. Thanks to Mindi Adam from CSULB and Nancy Jackson
from Cerritos College for their help in coordinating these events, they are
the respective student representatives.
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Pre-Assembly Meeting for District Reps and anyone interested in Assembly
business
4/16
5:30-6:30 PM
RLANRC
Support Service Annex, Room 2159
Discussion of issues and business that will be brought before the Spring Assembly.
- Review of 2001 Estimated Income/Expenses and 2002 Budget
- Several proposed bylaw amendments to establish a trial period of hosting one annual Assembly to replace the current practice of 2 Assemblies/year.
- Proposed bylaw amendments to enable
affiliate members to run
as candidates for the following chapter offices: Nominating Committee,
Secretary, Board member. - Propose increase of chapter dues for
graduate students from
$40 to $100. - Propose CA Chapter to co-sponsor motions
at the 2002 House of
Delegates to (1) establish guidelines for new associate membership
category and (2) restrict concurrent terms as APTA Nominating Committee and
Delegate.
This meeting will be followed at 6:30 by a Guest Speaker, Alicia McLelland.
Please see upcoming events below for more information
Long Beach-South Bay District Members representing the District at the
Assembly:
Mei Lee Chapple, PT (Chief Rep)
Erik Barnett, PT (District Chair)
Claire Beekman, PT
Azmina Haji, PT
Oliver de la Paz, PTA
Mindi Adam, CSULB student
Nancy Jackson, Cerritos College student
All APTA members are invited to attend the Assembly, the policy-making body
of the CA chapter. This bi-annual meeting consists of 100+ chapter members
who represent state in voting/discussing policy and are a communication
conduit between the chapter board and its members.
Questions regarding the Assembly, agenda, or any other topics may be
directed
to Chief Representative Mei Lee Chapple: [email protected]
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Student Outreach
Recently Julie Maher and Oliver de la Paz went to Cerritos and Azmina Haji
visited CSULB. Julie Maher discussed the general structure of the APTA and
how dues are spent. She emphasized the benefits of belonging to the APTA
including legislative representation, networking opportunities, available
discounts, and student involvement. Oliver de la Paz shared how and why he
got involved in the district as a PTA representative. Azmina focused on the
importance of long-range career goals and the changing health care
environment. She also encouraged them to get two years of general clinical
background before specializing. Azmina discussed legislative issues that
the
APTA has been able to fight for us and the importance of supporting the APTA
to protect our profession. Thanks to Mindi Adam from CSULB and Nancy
Jackson
from Cerritos College for their help in coordinating these events, they are
the respective student representatives.
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--
All APTA members are invited to attend the Assembly, the policy-making body
of the CA chapter. This bi-annual meeting consists of 100+ chapter members
who represent state in voting/discussing policy and are a communication
conduit between the chapter board and its members.
Questions regarding the Assembly, agenda, or any other topics may be
directed to Chief Representative Mei Lee Chapple: [email protected]
Upcoming Events: Mark Your Calendar
Event: PT Legislative Day
Date: April 9, 2002; Sacramento, CA
More Info: Visit the CPTA website at www.ccapta.org
Event: Long Beach/South Bay District Meeting
Date: April 16, 2002 at 6:30 p.m.; Rancho Los Amigos National
Rehabilitation Center
Speaker: Alicia McLelland, MPT; Seating and positioning for the
high-risk patient
More Info: E-mail [email protected]
Event: Pre-Assembly meeting for all Assembly Representatives
Date: April 16, 2002 at 6:30 p.m.; Rancho Los Amigos National
Rehabilitation Center
More Info: E-mail [email protected]
Event: Long Beach/South Bay District Meeting
Date: September 17, 2002; Torrance Memorial Hospital
Speaker: Chris Powers, PT; Current research of the patella-femoral
joint
More Info: E-mail [email protected]
Event Long Beach/South Bay District Meeting
Date: November 12, 2002; TBA
Speaker: Debbie Struiksma, PT; Vestibular Rehabilitation
More Info: E-mail [email protected]
Event: Assembly of Representatives
Date: Forum: Friday, 4/19, 1:45- 3:30 pm
Assembly: Friday, 4/19, 4:00-6:00 pm
Assembly: Saturday, 4/20, 8:30-5:00 pm
Location: Renaissance Hotel - LAX
9620 Airport Blvd
Los Angeles
(310) 337-2800
More Info: Contact the chapter web site at http://www.ccapta.org
Event: Building Your Practice through Functional Rehab
Date: April 20, 2002; Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles, CA
More Info: Call Robin Lewis at 800-331-8845
Event: "Balance Therapy" An Overview of Evaluation, Protocols &
Equipment
Date: June 2, 2002; Torrance Memorial Hospital
More Info: Call Susan at 800-767-6339 x8303
Event: CPTA Annual Conference
Date: September 28-29, 2002; Sheraton Hotel/Convention Center
in Pasadena, CA
More Info: Visit the CPTA website at www.ccapta.org/CPTAAnnualConference.htm
January Meeting Highlights
Click onto the Long Beach/South Bay website for complete minutes...http://www.geocities.com/lbsbapta
District Leadership
Oliver de la Paz will be taking over responsibilities for Lori Nishiyama as
the PTA Assembly Representative. Azima Haji will be taking over
responsibilities for Valerie Eberly as PT Assembly Representative.
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