Outpatient Hand Level II Curriculum and Road Map to CHT

This capstone presentation, developed by a third-year Drake University Occupational Therapy Doctoral Candidate, outlines a comprehensive Level II curriculum designed for an outpatient hand surgery setting. The project was conducted at DMOS in West Des Moines, IA, and involved a thorough literature review, critical topic appraisal, and close collaboration with Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) on-site.

This presentation showcases several valuable artifacts created to enhance student engagement and clarify expectations during fieldwork. These resources include:

• Annotated Bibliography: A curated list of common hand surgical procedures, providing essential information for understanding patient cases.
• Weekly Checklist: A practical tool to help students stay organized and track progress throughout their fieldwork experience.
• Pre-Site Study Guide: Materials designed to prepare students for a successful and productive fieldwork placement.
• Anatomy Review Coloring Guide: An engaging visual aid to reinforce understanding of hand anatomy.
• "How-To" Guide for Orthoses Fabrication: Step-by-step instructions for creating common orthoses, a crucial skill in hand therapy.

Beyond fieldwork skills, this project offers valuable information and resources for students interested in pursuing advanced certification as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).

Who will benefit?

This presentation is ideal for:

• Occupational Therapy students aspiring to a career in outpatient hand therapy.
• Students planning to pursue CHT certification.
• Site mentors seeking to improve or expand their fieldwork curriculum.

By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

• Identify three common hand injuries frequently encountered in outpatient surgical settings.
• Match appropriate orthoses to specific hand injuries.
• Outline the steps required to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).