Course Description:
The course is designed to promote education and training for rehabilitation therapists and nurses on the procedures and screening methods for visual impairment across the continuum of care. Screening methods will aid practitioners in better identifying age- related pathological change and/or an acquired change in visual status secondary to neurological incidence. Course topics will also include interpretation of optometry documentation, as rehab therapists and nurses may glean insight into the functional barriers secondary to altered visual status. Practitioners will learn the importance and benefits to team collaboration with optometry for best patient outcomes. Rehabilitation specialists will learn the importance of understanding visual function and how it relates to safety with mobility.
The course will outline procedures for instructing clients and caregivers on the use of sighted guide technique and self protection techniques specific to persons with visual disability. The online learning segment will enhance the learner’s knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the visual system.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Properly screen clients for visual impairment and determine the immediate environmental modifications required to improve safety, comfort, and participation in daily activities including scheduled therapies
- Determine need for optometric referral and consultation of vision rehab services
- Determine the impact of visual status on functional outcomes and communicate barriers for team conference contributions, team collaboration, and/or family/caregiver education
- Communicate screening findings to the attending physician and consulting optometrist in use of a collaborative model
- Initiate intervention modifications for the client with visual impairment specific to their visual needs
- Interpret optometry documentation and relate exam findings to functional outcomes and barriers to safety
- Identify visual signs and symptoms associated with age-related pathological change versus newly acquired neurological change diagnoses specific
- Instruct patients and caregivers alike on the proper and safe use of sighted guide technique and self protection technique for participation in functional and community mobility related tasks
- Communicate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of visual system and gross systems integration
At the end of this course, Physical Therapist Assistant specific participants will be able to:
- Determine the impact of visual status on functional outcomes and communicate barriers for team conference contributions, team collaboration, and/or family/caregiver education
- Initiate intervention modifications for the client with visual impairment specific to their visual needs
- Interpret optometry and supervising physical therapist documentation and relate exam/evaluation findings to functional outcomes and visual barriers to safety
- Instruct patients and caregivers alike on the proper and safe use of sighted guide technique and self protection technique for participation in functional and community mobility related tasks
- Communicate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of visual system and gross systems integration