Advanced Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2013 Fast Facts The SGH Physiotherapy Department consists of more than 150 physiotherapists, including therapists with specialist training to support the 35 medical specialties in the hospital. The Department has pioneered services that have put it on the forefront of physiotherapy in Singapore and South East Asia. Its state ofthe art equipment and quality personnel ensure that clients enjoy the highest level of evidence based care available. The Department takes pride in its dedication to research and education. It collaborates with the SGH Postgraduate Allied Health Institute to provide ongoing skills upgrading opportunities to Singapore s physiotherapists. Advanced Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (ACMP) 2013 The ACMP is a certification course conducted by the SGH Physiotherapy Department and SGH Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PGAHI). The ACMP is designed to provide postgraduate level training to practicing physiotherapists in the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Participants of the ACMP will gain knowledge and competencies specific to this aspect of physiotherapy, helping them on their path to attaining specialist status in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Advanced Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy The ACMP curriculum is outcome based, and therefore the specific outcomes or competencies expected from an advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practitioners will reflect the appropriate level of knowledge, skills and attitudes beyond the professional entry level. The ACMP course is made of 3 core modules and 1 elective workshop. The 3 core modules consist of a total of 5 workshops. Participants can choose to complete the certificate over 1 or 2 years. Advanced Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Core Modules Complete all 3 Core Modules Core Module 01: Spinal Disorder Assessment Core Module 02: Peripheral Disorder Elective Workshops Complete 1 workshop Core Module 03: Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Proficiencies Developed Physiotherapists who complete the ACMP course will develop the following competencies: Have advanced knowledge of anatomy, pain, physiology and pathophysiology Possess in depth understanding and ability to apply knowledge to treat complex conditions Be competent in various musculoskeletal techniques Able to apply clinical reasoning Know advanced methods of assessment Able to treat patient independently using evidence based practices and clinical reasoning Able to assess patients using a holistic and comprehensive approach Competencies listed are in line with the Singapore Physiotherapy Association s (SPA) list of competencies required for specialists of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. To achieve certification, candidates must fulfill the following requirements: At least 90% attendance for the entire program; and Pass all assessment components. The format of the assessments may be written examinations, case study essays and/or practical tests. Details of the specific assessments will be announced during the respective workshops. Target Participants Practicing physiotherapists interested in furthering their knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and/or looking to specialize in this area.
Topic Outline 2013 Core Modules (Complete ALL workshops) Core Module 01: Spinal Disorders Neck and back pain are common musculoskeletal disorders that affect everyone at some stage of their lives. Due to its multi factorial nature, spinal pain disorders can be notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. The workshops in this module will focus on the latest research and their clinical implications. Participants of the workshops in this module will gain mastery of existing treatment techniques and exposure to novel treatments. Core Workshop 1A: Management of Cervical Spine Disorders The workshop will present the research which has underpinned the understanding of neck pain disorders from a pathophysiological perspective within the biopsychosocial framework. In particular, the way in which research has informed practice will be demonstrated and a multimodal approach to the management of people with neck pain disorders will also be presented. The workshop will contain a large component of practical work, including manual handling skills and techniques for cervical spine related disorders. It will also emphasize on a therapeutic exercise approach within a multimodal context to demonstrate the translation of research into practice. Core Workshop 1B: Management of Lower Back Pain Disorders The workshop will aim to provide participants with the additional skills and knowledge needed to diagnose, classify and treat this diverse and complicated group of patients at an advanced level. Participants will gain skills to differentiate and manage the different lower back pain disorders from an advanced clinical reasoning perspective. The workshop will have a good mix of both theoretical and practical work. Core Module 02: Peripheral Disorders Treatment of upper and lower extremity disorders account for a significant proportion of any musculoskeletal physiotherapist s workload due to their constant exposure to injury risk and overuse. Besides learning about the complex functional anatomy of the extremities and gaining mastery of crucial treatment techniques, participants of these workshops will be immersed in the latest research on peripheral disorders and their clinical implications. Core Workshop 2A: Management of the Shoulder Participants of this workshop will learn how to accurately assess and treat the wide range of injuries that can occur to the shoulder complex, which is widely considered as the most vulnerable amongst the joints in the upper extremities. Through both theoretical and practical work, participants will gain advanced skills for the treatment of and restoration of normal movement to these joints following injury. Core Workshop 2B: Management of the Hip The workshop will focus on functional anatomy, assessment and management of the hip, as well as identification, evaluation and correction of dysfunctional patterns of lower limb movement. The workshop will comprise of a large component of practical work, with an emphasis on manual handling skills and techniques for assessment and management of hip disorders. Neuromuscular control/retraining of the lower limb will also be covered in this workshop.
Topic Outline 2013 Core Module 03: Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Core Workshop 3: Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy This workshop will outline contemporary biopsychosocial approaches for management of musculoskeletal disorder. It will also provide an opportunity for participants to extend their knowledge of medical/surgical interventions for musculoskeletal disorders. Participants will be able to advance their clinical skills and theoretical knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and develop an advanced clinical reasoning approach towards assessment and management of complex musculoskeletal conditions. Elective Workshops (complete ONE elective workshop) Elective Workshop 01: Evidence based Practice in Physiotherapy Evidence based practice is a healthcare practice approach in which patient management is driven by clinical expertise, patient preference, and best possible scientific evidence. This workshop covers the principles of evidence based practice and it specifically caters to clinicians who wish to improve their clinical practice through enhanced skills in sourcing, interpreting, and applying the scientific literature. Elective Workshop 02: Pain Management This workshop will provide participants with a current understanding of pain mechanisms and the effects of physiotherapy intervention. Participants will be able to widen their knowledge of physiological and neurological aspects of pain, thereby enabling them to manage patients with complex pain conditions. Elective Workshop 03: Clinical Application of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): Introductory Course This workshop introduces participants to the PNF approach. The PNF approach identifies mass movement patterns that are spiral and diagonal in character, and aims to successfully facilitate the response of a weak muscle by irradiation from a stronger muscle which is related to the same function. The course will focus on skill development, clinical assessment and functional application utilising the PNF approach in management of a variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. It has a large practical component and will include a patient demonstration utilising skills taught. Elective Workshop 04: Ergonomics This course serves to help participants understand and apply ergonomics or human factors principles to the workplaces. Aches are common at the workplace especially when the job requires the body to be in the same position for long hours. Moreover, poor body posture adds on to these discomforts commonly found in working individuals. Knowing how to apply ergonomics at work can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders and improve productivity. You will be taught how to do conduct ergonomics evaluation for offices and industrial sites and give recommendations for workplace design among other interesting modules.
Course Timetable 2013 Core Workshops TOPICS DATE FACULTY Advanced Physiotherapy Management of Cervical Spine Disorders Management of Lower Back Pain Disorders Management of the Hip 19 21 Aug 2013 Jun/ Jul 2013 Nov/ Dec 2013 Prof Gwen Jull Professor of Physiotherapy University of Queensland Management of the Shoulder Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 15 17 Jan 2014 Liang Zhiqi & Rachelle Lim Senior Physiotherapists Singapore General Hospital Elective Workshops TOPICS DATE FACULTY Evidence based Practice in Physiotherapy: Part I Literature Search & Critical Appraisal Part II Fundamentals of Clinical Research Oct 2013 (1 day) & Mar 2014 (2 days) (Total of 3days) Singhealth Centre for Research Services Pain Management 1 2 July 2013 (2 days) Assoc Prof Helen Slater School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University Clinical Application of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): Introductory Course Ergonomics 21 23 Sep 2013 (2 days) Brendon Haslam Physiotherapist Melbourne, Australia *Information correct as at January 2013
Application Admission Requirements Physiotherapists who possess a diploma in physiotherapy or above from a recognised institution and with a minimum of 1.5 years of work experience in Physiotherapy (inclusive of 6 months of work experience in the field of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy). However, exceptions may be given by the programme director on a case by case basis. To Apply Please contact SGH PGAHI for the registration form. Resume must be submitted together with the application form. Participants can enroll anytime over the course of the certification programme as the majority of the workshops may be repeated over 1 2years. Please note that ACMP workshops attended prior to actual application for the full certification course, do not count toward fulfilling course graduation requirements. However, participants of the individual workshops may matriculate into the ACMP if they choose to be assessed at the end of said workshops. ACMP Course Fee The total course fee for 5 Core + 1 Elective ACMP workshops is S$6,398. However, candidates who sign up for the whole certification program will enjoy the following discounted fee (inclusive of exam fees and 7% GST): ACMP course fee = SGD$5,755 ACMP course fee (SPA members) = SGD$5,255 Re test fees will be charged separately. Any changes made to the choice of the elective workshop is subject to availability. No changes will be allowed within one month of the start of the selected workshop. Quoted prices are valid for participants who register between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013. For Enquiries SGH Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PGAHI) Contact no. 6576 2708 Fax 6270 7047 Email pgahi@sgh.com.sg Visit us at www.sgh.com.sg/pgahi