The Therapist's Guide to Treating Patients with Facial Palsy
This 100% online course is designed to provide physical, occupational, and speech therapists, as well as other healthcare providers, with knowledge of current treatment regimens, interventions, and innovative techniques for patients with facial palsy, so this underserved population can flourish under the care of a well-informed clinician.
Description
"The Therapist's Guide to Treating Patients with Facial Palsy" online course, designed by physical therapist Jodi Barth, PT, CCI, will provide the foundation for answering your patients' plea, “Fix My Face.” Patients with facial palsy are seeking medical guidance. Unfortunately, for the men, women, and children diagnosed with facial paralysis each year, there are not enough medical professionals experienced in best practices.
Facial palsy is caused by conditions such as Bell’s Palsy, Zoster Sine Herpete, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Acoustic Neuroma, Lyme disease, and at least an additional 100 other diagnoses.
This course is designed to provide physical, occupational, and speech therapists, chiropractors, dentists, physicians, acupuncturists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians with the knowledge of current treatment regimens, interventions, and new innovative techniques for facial palsy patients so this underserved population can flourish under the care of a well-informed clinician.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this 36-hour online course.
Required Reading
Students will receive 64 scientific articles as part of the course materials.
Course Schedule
Pre-Quiz
Module 1: Facial Anatomy (four parts)
- PowerPoint lectures: facial anatomy
- Mandatory reading: three articles on facial anatomy
- Post Quiz
- Facial Anatomy Worksheets:
- Identifying muscles
- Identifying branches of facial nerve
- Identifying branches of the cranial nerves
Module 2: Differential Diagnosis (five parts)
- PowerPoint lectures: differential diagnoses
- Mandatory reading: nine current articles, including the latest research about COVID-19 and facial palsy.
- Post Quiz
Module 3: Patient Assessment(five parts)
- PowerPoint lectures: patient assessment
- Mandatory reading: 14 articles including reliability and validation of standard testing measurements
- Post Quiz
Module 4: Interdisciplinary Treatment: (three parts)
- PowerPoint lectures: interdisciplinary treatments
- Mandatory reading: 12 articles including latest surgical interventions, medication justification, ultrasound evaluation and usage of botox
- Post Quiz
Module 5: The Management of the Facial Palsy Patient (six parts)
- PowerPoint lectures: management of the facial palsy patient
- Mandatory reading: 16 articles, including the standard guidelines for physical therapy care of a facial palsy patient established by the Facial Specialists International
- Patient Home Exercise Program Handouts
Module 6: Educational Materials
Post Quiz
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for
- physical therapists
- physical therapy assistants
- occupational therapists
- occupational therapy assistants
- speech therapists
- physicians
- dentists
- chiropractors
- acupuncturists
- nurse practitioners
- physician assistants
- massage therapists and bodyworkers
- athletic trainers
Course CEUs
This continuing education has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 36 Continuing Education Hours.
Course Objectives
At the completion of this online course, students will have a good understanding of
1. the uniqueness of the facial nerve and muscles
2. the importance of differential diagnoses and associated interventions
3. the benefits and positive outcomes from a multidisciplinary approach
4. the importance of early intervention, including medication regimens, based on current research
5. new innovative techniques such as diagnostic ultrasound, synkineedling, mirror book therapy, telehealth, and the utilization of therapeutic modalities
6. the psychological impact of facial palsy
7. the important aspects of an evaluation and the skills to conduct a comprehensive evauation
8. proper eye care management and utilization of a multi-disciplinary approach
9. diagnostic ultrasound and the role it can play in the care of the patient
10. how they can use manual skills to improve the quality of life for their patients
11. how to design a home program based on clinical findings