This two-day workshop is designed to provide introductory level ergonomic concepts to Occupational and Physical Therapists involved in the care of injured workers, and to Rehab professionals interested in providing prevention programs/services for musculoskeletal disorders. Many of the musculoskeletal disorders that continue to plague workers prove costly to workers and employers—can be prevented through appropriate ergonomic intervention.

The focus of this course is on current issues surrounding prevention of injuries by means of:

• Identification of risk factors
• Assessment tools
• Workstation modifications
• Ergonomic recommendations

Compliance with interventions is addressed by introducing theories, such as the Health Belief model that enhances behavior modification. Specific case studies, related to the back and upper extremities, are presented in an interactive lecture/lab format. Participants will learn information to enhance their understanding of the work environment of the injured worker population.  

This workshop explores both low cost and high-tech methods of achieving the best outcomes to reduce ergonomic risk factors. This course will help facilitate critical thinking—thinking outside the box—when developing treatment or ergonomic programs.

Program subject to change. Participants are cautioned to apply new information and skills within the scope of state licensure law.

 Course Objectives:

Upon completion of workshop, therapist will:

• Identify basic theory associated with work injuries
• Identify main risk factors involved with work related musculoskeletal disorders.
• Use ergonomics assessment tools to identify potential hazards at a workstation or of a specific task.
• Develop a corrective plan of action designed to decrease or eliminate risk factors that may re-injure the patient.
• Use theoretical models (i.e.: the Health Belief model) in a treatment plan to increase compliance and achieve change in work habits.

Lecture and discussion will include:

• Definitions and background information about work related musculoskeletal disorders
• Ergonomic risk factors
• Back injuries in the workplace
• Ergonomics assessment tools for back injuries
• Ergonomic recommendations for prevention of back injuries
• Interactive workshop: case study on vineyard workers
• Upper extremity injuries in the workplace
• Ergonomic assessment tools for the upper extremity
• Ergonomic recommendation for prevention of upper extremity injuries
• Interactive workshop: ergonomics in healthcare
• Prevention programs
• References

 

Agenda

DAY 1
8:00 am	Registration
8:30	Welcome and introduction
8:45	Goals and Objectives of the workshop
9:00	Definitions: Ergonomics, WRMSD, CTD, RSI, RMI Role of OT , PT and other professionals in the field of ergonomics
9:30	Overview of work related injuries (statistics)
10:00	Ergonomic Risk Factors
10:30	Break
10:45	Did this job cause my aching back? NIOSH evidence based relatedness of risk factors to back injuries
12:00 pm	Lunch, on your own
1:00	Ergonomics assessment tools for back injuries and recommendations
2:30	Break
2:45	Interactive workshop on Ergonomics
4:00	Ergonomics and Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal injuries
4:30	Questions and Answers
DAY 2
8:30 am	Review and questions
8:45	Can we relate these injuries to work risk factors?  NIOSH evidence-based relatedness of risk factors to upper extremity injuries.
9:15	Ergonomic assessment tools for Upper Extremity injuries
10:15	Break
10:30	Computer related ergonomic issues
11:30	Interactive workshop on UE ergonomic injuries Group presentation scenarios
12:30	Lunch, on your own
1:30	Continue interactive workshop & group presentations
2:30	Break
2:45	Prevention Programs: Do they work? What the literature says Strategies to enhance compliance with prevention programs: HBM, Adult learning, SIMPLE
3:30	Putting it all together: ergonomics in healthcare
4:00	How to get more involved? Summary: Our role, responsibilities, websites, further training needed
4:30	Adjourn

 

CE Credits

Accepted by NBCOT*,  HTCC+, and most state OT regulatory boards. Check with your state  board to verify. Certificate of attendance will be issued to all participants upon completion of the workshop and may be used for CEU verification of credits.

*NBCOT...National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (view PDU requirements)
+HTCC... Hand Therapy Certification Commission  (view recertification requirements)

 

Alicia Perez, DPT, CEES is a Physical Therapist and an Ergonomics/Injury Prevention Specialist consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Puerto Rico in 1985. She received her doctorate degree from Boston University in 2005. Dr. Perez has also received advanced training in Functional Capacity Evaluation and Ergonomics.

Dr. Perez has provided ergonomic and injury prevention services to clients in the San Francisco Bay Area, including: Alameda Hospital, Children's Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Mondavi Winery, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, American Airlines, Pac Bell, and the Pleasanton Fire Dept.

Dr. Perez has extensive experience with work-related injuries and injury prevention programs. She keeps abreast of new rehabilitation techniques and with current ergonomics issues by participating in many professional continuing education seminars.

Dr. Perez has lectured at the Healthcare Ergonomics Conference in Oregon, at the National Ergonomic Conference and Exposition in Las Vegas, and for local ergonomic groups in the Bay Area on office and dental ergonomics. Dr. Perez contributed as a technical editor for the OSHA publication: A Safety and Health Guide for the Cleaning Industry. She has written articles for the local newspaper on back safety and injury prevention; and she has been featured in the PT News-line magazine.

Her professional memberships include the American Physical Therapy Association, Bay Area Ergonomic Roundtable, and the Bay Area Study Group.

Tuition

Note: Early Bird rates are in effect if your application is postmarked four weeks or more prior to registration.	Early Bird Rate	Late Registration Rate
SMART MOVES: Applying Ergonomic Principles in Rehab	$395	$450

Dates & Locations

There are no scheduled workshops at this time.

INTERESTED IN HOSTING? PLEASE CALL 845-368-2458 OR E-MAIL info@RehabEd.com