For the past 5 years, the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) has provided education focused on concussion care and rehab in partnership with ImPACT Applications, resulting in the development of concussion specialists in the fields of athletic training, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Since its launch, the Master of Health Science offering has expanded from the ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainer (ITAT) credential to the ImPACT Trained Occupational Therapist (ITOT) and ImPACT Trained Physical Therapist (ITPT) credentials.
“Seeing the evolution of our collaboration with the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a sign that we are heading in the right direction,” says Michael Wahlster, ImPACT Applications’ Chief Executive Officer, in a media release.
“They are pioneering the expansion of concussion knowledge in higher education by providing future athletic trainers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists specialized training.”
The decision to add additional ImPACT Applications’ credential offerings stems from the need for multidisciplinary concussion care teams. Under this model, students learn the various roles needed to improve their patients’ outcomes while making objective rehabilitation and return-to-activity decisions.
This model encourages clinicians to work together instead of relying on one healthcare provider to make treatment and rehab decisions. Through collaboration, students learn how to work together to provide comprehensive concussion care, the release continues.
This fall, Dr Johanna Hurtubise, a leading concussion expert from Canada, will instruct the evidence-based Concussion Management course that is shared across post-professional programs at the University.
“My research focuses on the neural control of movement following concussion,” Hurtubise comments. “Specifically, my research is interested in cognitive-motor integration performance following a concussive incident. I’m excited to teach this course at the University of St Augustine.”
[Source(s): ImPACT Applications, PR Newswire]