General Practitioners

The purpose of this course is to determine whether treatment with methylphenidate in children and young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was associated with cardiovascular events.

Though the absolute risk is likely to be low, the risk-benefit balance of methylphenidate should be carefully considered, particularly in children with mild ADHD.

BMJ2016 

In every 1000 pregnancies, between two and five infants are born to women with epilepsy. For such women, pregnancy can be a time of anxiety over maternal and foetal wellbeing. Most women with epilepsy will not experience an increase in seizure frequency, and will deliver a healthy child.  However, some women will experience an increase in seizure frequency, which can be harmful for the mother or foetus. 

Complicating matters further is the fact that there is evidence that suggests some antiepileptic drugs may increase the risk of congenital and neurodevelopmental abnormalities; while others – considered safe to the foetus may be associated with increased risk of seizures and maternal mortality.

This article summarises the current evidence regarding women with epilepsy who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

The introduction of techniques for treating infertility has given real hope to those who have been unable to have children. This course therefore prudent to review the management of these patients, to be aware of the likelihood of success and to carry out only those investigations and treatments that are likely to be of benefit.

BMJ2016

This article draws together evidence from the psychology, communication, and decision making literature how to withdraw from polypharmacy. 

Overview

Too much medicine - inappropriate polypharmacy - is an increasingly recognised problem, particularly in older people.  Systematic reviews of medication withdrawal trials (deprescribing) show that reducing specific classes of medicines may decrease adverse events and improve quality of life. 

However, deprescribing cannot and should not be carried out by a single clinician. It should involve a shared decision making process that involves the patient, their companions and clinicians. 

This article draws together evidence from the psychology, communication, and decision making literature for each step of the shared decision making process. It describes the unique tasks required for deprescribing decisions; identifies challenges for older adults, their companions, and clinicians; and gives practical advice on how challenges may be overcome

While paediatric cancer represents only a small proportion of childhood illness, it remains the second most common cause of death behind trauma in children aged 1-14 years. 

This course will equip you with a working knowledge of the common clinical presentations of paediatric malignancies and an understanding of the principles of diagnosis and management of cancer in children.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is the name given to a common but complex biological disorder characterised by excessive inattentiveness, impulsiveness or hyperactivity that significantly impairs a child’s functioning in a number of environments. 

This course will describe the behaviours associated with AD/HD, diagnostic criteria, and Etiology including educational and family factors. 

The management programme that appears to have the best chance of success uses a combination of therapeutic approaches. The role of medication will be discussed in detail. Other approaches recommend the education of parents and improved communication between the parents, the treating doctor and the school.

For many years the prescription of NSAIDs for all kinds of sport injuries (soft tissue injuries, tendon injuries and bone fractures) has been a staple of sports medicine. NSAIDs have well established analgesic effects, but also have proven side effects.

Despite the risks, the medical community has considered the safety/efficiency ratio satisfactory enough to accept the administration of NSAIDs.

But does this conventional wisdom still hold true?

This course looks at recent research around NSAIDs – some of which has produced surprising results. This information is important to every medical professional who frequently prescribes or recommends NSAIDs to deal with sports injuries.

There is substantial evidence in the literature that the musculoskeletal system is capable of producing abdominal symptoms. Most authors agree that the vast majority of cases of abdominal pain have a visceral origin and, in the first instance, visceral pathology which must be excluded. However, when routine visceral screening investigations are negative, clinicians should consider the musculoskeletal system as a potential cause of symptoms. 

The viscera are known for their capacity to present misleading symptoms and have been described as the ‘great deceivers’ in terms of the patterns of pain presentation.

Correct interpretation of the symptoms through a careful history and physical examination is important for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.  Given the incidence of patients with abdominal pain that remains unexplained following gastroenterological investigations, it is vital to investigate the musculoskeletal system and, where appropriate, treat accordingly.

In part 1 of this 2-part course, you will learn why any women trying to get pregnant should consider healthcare as part of her preconception preparation, how to take an appropriate history from a pregnant patient, what potential red flags to look out for and advice to give. 

You will also learn about appropriate physical assessment through the trimesters, including vital sign, appropriate weight gain, cardio and respiratory and of course neurological. This course will give you the confidence you need when caring for pregnant women; right the way through their pregnancy from preconception to birth.

Part 2 of care of the pregnant patient focuses on the diagnosis and management of pregnancy specific conditions such as morning sickness, heartburn, liver cholestasis, hypertension, diabetes, pelvic instability and more. Issues on the perinatal and postnatal periods will also be discussed.

In part 1 of this 2-part course, you will learn why any women trying to get pregnant should consider healthcare as part of her preconception preparation, how to take an appropriate history from a pregnant patient, what potential red flags to look out for and advice to give. 

You will also learn about appropriate physical assessment through the trimesters, including vital sign, appropriate weight gain, cardio and respiratory and of course neurological. This course will give you the confidence you need when caring for pregnant women; right the way through their pregnancy from preconception to birth. 

Part 2 of care of the pregnant patient focuses on the diagnosis and management of pregnancy specific conditions such as morning sickness, heartburn, liver cholestasis, hypertension, diabetes, pelvic instability and more. Issues on the perinatal and postnatal periods will also be discussed.

There has been growing concern locally and internationally about the incidence of sport-related concussion and potential health ramifications for athletes. If managed appropriately most symptoms and signs of concussion resolve spontaneously, however complications can occur including prolonged duration of symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury. There is also growing concern about potential long-term consequences of multiple concussions. 

This course will provide you with information regarding the timely recognition and appropriate management of sport-related concussion. It will also provide you with clear, unequivocal and reliable information to be readily accessible to all members of the community.

This Position Statement on Concussion in Sport brings together the most contemporary evidence-based information and presents it in a format that is appropriate for all stakeholders. This e-Learning course seeks to ensure that all members of the public have rapid access to information to increase their understanding of sport-related concussion and to assist in the delivery of best practice medical care.

There has been growing concern locally and internationally about the incidence of sport-related concussion and potential health ramifications for athletes. If managed appropriately most symptoms and signs of concussion resolve spontaneously, however complications can occur including prolonged duration of symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury. There is also growing concern about potential long-term consequences of multiple concussions.  

This course will provide you with information regarding the timely recognition and appropriate management of sport-related concussion. It will also provide you with clear, unequivocal and reliable information to be readily accessible to all members of the community. 

This Position Statement on Concussion in Sport brings together the most contemporary evidence-based information and presents it in a format that is appropriate for all stakeholders. This e-Learning course seeks to ensure that all members of the public have rapid access to information to increase their understanding of sport-related concussion and to assist in the delivery of best practice medical care.

Increase your success rate in treating patients with anterior knee pain.

AKP can be one of the most difficult conditions to manage. The success rate of most treatment regimens has been poor and the condition frequently recurs.

This three-part, online course will equip you with the latest tools to deal effectively with this and other related sports injuries.

You’ll learn about assessing the knee in part one; part two will introduce you to the new integrated treatment approach; and part three deals with patellar tendinopathy.

Increase your success rate in treating patients with anterior knee pain.

AKP can be one of the most difficult conditions to manage. The success rate of most treatment regimens has been poor and the condition frequently recurs.

This three-part, online course will equip you with the latest tools to deal effectively with this and other related sports injuries.

You’ll learn about assessing the knee in part one; part two will introduce you to the new integrated treatment approach; and part three deals with patellar tendinopathy.

Infantile colic is a term used by many to describe a consistently unsettled baby. But in truth, it is so much more than that. 

Discover what is a classical clinical presentation, how to diagnosis it and what many causes may be. From protein and carbohydrate intolerance to gastroesophageal reflux and intussusception, you will learn how to identify it, when to refer out.

What is the best treatment methodology for peripheral neuropathic pain or pain resulting from injury to nerve roots or peripheral nerve trunks? 

How best should the symptoms of clinical manifestations of peripheral neuropathic pain be described? This course examines some conservative options for treatment and raises questions about their efficacy. Not all patients, it seems, will respond equally to neurodynamic mobilization techniques and different treatment parameters. The course will discuss the way in which interventions can be individualized to address the nuances of each patient’s presentation of peripheral neuropathic pain. 

Part 1 & 2 must be taken together.

What is the best treatment methodology for peripheral neuropathic pain or pain resulting from injury to nerve roots or peripheral nerve trunks? 

How best should the symptoms of clinical manifestations of peripheral neuropathic pain be described? This course examines some conservative options for treatment and raises questions about their efficacy. Not all patients, it seems, will respond equally to neurodynamic mobilization techniques and different treatment parameters. The course will discuss the way in which interventions can be individualized to address the nuances of each patient’s presentation of peripheral neuropathic pain.

Part 1 & 2 must be taken together.

Although all wounds pass through the same mechanism of repair towards full recovery, the final cosmetic and functional result may differ markedly. As a physiotherapist, is there anything you can do to make a difference to the healing process and the restoration of tissue integrity?

This course will provide some answers.

Management of chronic low back pain and leg pain requires a multifactorial approach. Low back pain can be difficult to treat as the clinician not only has to identify the underlying causative factors to restore homeostasis to the system, but also has to ensure that the treatment does not unnecessarily exacerbate the symptoms. 

The aim of treatment is to increase the active control of the passively unstable and associated areas so that the patient can operate within an increased envelope of function, and with minimised symptom recurrences. The training must be simple, requiring minimal equipment so that it is readily accessible to the individual and can be practised frequently. As chronic problems are never cured, only managed, therapists and patients must manage the symptoms over the long term.

The principle of core stability has gained wide acceptance for the prevention of injury in training and as a treatment modality for rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal conditions, in particular of the lower back. There has been surprisingly little criticism of this approach to date.  

This article re-examines the original findings and the principles of core stability/spinal stabilisation approaches and how well they fare within the wider knowledge of motor control, prevention of injury and rehabilitation of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems following injury.

Did you know that Cervicogenic headache probably accounts for between 10 and 20% of benign headaches? Did you know that there is a growing body of evidence that multimodal physical therapy can assist these patients?

Fundamental to the successful management of cervicogenic headache is the differential diagnosis of headache.

Did you know that Cervicogenic headache probably accounts for between 10 and 20% of benign headaches? Did you know that there is a growing body of evidence that multimodal physical therapy can assist these patients?

Fundamental to the successful management of cervicogenic headache is the differential diagnosis of headache.

Part two of this course describes the physical examination of the headache patient and covers the articular, the muscle systems, the neuro motor control, muscle strength and postural form. It also deals with the management of cervicogenic headache utilising manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and more.

Dizziness is an extremely common complaint yet is also a very difficult condition to diagnose – and therefore to treat. This on-line course demonstrates how manual therapy can substantially reduce symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness.

Headache is a common and often incapacitating condition. It is estimated that a headache in some form is experienced by at least 50% of the population, often leading to a visit to a general practitioner or physiotherapist. The number of structures and disorders capable of causing headaches is considerable. This on-line course describes a case study of a patient with chronic headaches which had not been helped by range of previous interventions given by the patient’s GP, Neurologist and other healthcare professionals. The course will teach you/or show you a thorough assessment and subsequently effective evidence based treatment. The neurophysiological effect of the treatment is provided.

If a patient suffers with neck and radiating arm pain or numbness, sensory deficits, or motor dysfunction in the neck and upper extremities, it could be the result of cervical radiculopathy. 

This course examines the condition from a pathoanatomical perspective in order to help you to diagnose and then formulate the most appropriate treatment modality.

We all know that physical factors impact joint motion. But what factors influence the actual mechanics of the joint? Are they purely “mechanical”, or could something else be at play?

This course briefly outlines the assessment findings and the principles for management of the various factors that impact function of the SIJ. It also provides a comprehensive methodology for the effective management of pelvic pain and dysfunction.

We all know that physical factors impact joint motion. But what factors influence the actual mechanics of the joint? Are they purely “mechanical”, or could something else be at play?

This course briefly outlines the assessment findings and the principles for management of the various factors that impact function of the SIJ. It also provides a comprehensive methodology for the effective management of pelvic pain and dysfunction

Stiffness and restricted range of movement are the most common clinical presentations second to pain. This on-line course is ideal for all therapists who would like to help others to recover or improve their ease and range of movement.

Are you familiar with the physiological events and psychological impact on body and mind following injury, immobilization or surgery and what is the best approach to support the body’s natural recovery process.

The purpose of this course is to answer a frequently asked question ‘‘How precisely does exercise promote tissue healing?’’ 

This is a fundamental question for clinicians who prescribe exercise for tendinopathies, muscle tears, non-inflammatory arthropathies and even controlled loading after fractures. What happens at the tissue level to promote repair and remodelling of tendon, muscle, articular cartilage and bone? 

The one-word answer is ‘‘mechanotransduction’’, but rather than finishing there and limiting this course to 95 words, the authors provide a short illustrated introduction to this remarkable, non-neural, physiological process.

This course challenges current clinical models and systems for assessing and managing on-going pain states. It evaluates the current tissue based/modality based paradigm for pain treatment.

A mature organism model is presented as a workable concept incorporating mechanisms of pain into the broad science of stress biology and the biopsychosocial model of pain.