Therapists often have the desire to expand their knowledge, scope of practice, and gain expertise in a particular field or specialty practice area. One such area developed from the traditional physical dysfunction role is hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. The advent of the Hand Therapy Certification, which is granted by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission USA, has strengthened the practice of hand therapy as it has become recognized as a specialty area. In order to gain expertise within hand therapy, therapists require significant continuing post-graduate education. Recognizing this the Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre at St. Joseph's Health Care London has developed a Hand Therapy Fellowship Program for interested and motivated occupational or physical therapists who have a keen interest in developing the necessary skillset to be proficient in providing hand therapy. St. Joseph's Hand Therapy Fellowship Program offers a comprehensive 600 hour hand & upper extremity rehabilitation fellowship designed for both entry level or experienced occupational or physical therapists who have a minimum of one year of direct clinic experience and desire additional theoretical and clinical hand and upper extremity rehabilitation expertise. This learning can be achieved on a full time basis over four months or part time (no less than three days per week). A fellow will be assigned to a mentor (occupational or physical therapist) who will facilitate learning and evaluate progress. Emphasis is placed on learning anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, functional utilization of the upper extremity & research methodology. The fellow will be given the opportunity to utilize various learning resources such as cadaveric video demonstrations of elbow, wrist & hand pathologies, observe various live upper extremity surgical procedures, participate in teaching rounds and journal club meetings.
