Curriculum: The didactic component of the curriculum uses APTA Orthopaedic’s Current Concepts of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, 5th edition, JOSPT Clinical Practice Guidelines, select MedBridge knowledge tracks, and other multimedia content. The program provides the resident assistance in obtaining these resources at a discounted rate.
Structure: The program curriculum is comprised of two six-month units with each unit consisting of two clinical rotations. The first unit focuses on the lumbar spine, pelvis, and lower extremity. The second unit focuses on the cervical spine, thoracic spine, and upper extremity. Sequencing of the didactic curriculum, designated learning activities, and clinical patient care experiences starts with the axial skeleton and trunk, then progresses distally culminating with total limb integration by its completion.
Each unit is divided into two rotations providing residents the opportunity to treat these anatomical regions and their related health conditions in a varied and diverse patient population. This sequencing enables residents to continuously build upon their previous learning and clinical experiences.
Mentoring: Residents receive a minimum of 200 hours of dedicated to one-to-one mentoring with clinical faculty over the duration of the program with 150 of these hours conducted in a patient-care setting. All program mentors are board-certified orthopedic physical therapists who are strong clinical educations in addition to being content experts in their area of practice.
Learning Experiences: In addition to the didactic curriculum and mentoring, residents also complete:
- Guided self-reflection activities
- Journal club activities
- Interprofessional experiences with other health care providers in both clinic and procedural settings.
- Prepare, assist, and deliver orthopedic skill and technique presentation to entry-level DPT students in partnership with Grand Valley State University.
- Opportunities to participate with community-based activities offered by Corewell Health
- Capstone project or presentation
Outcomes: As of September 2024:
- Total number of program graduates: 1
- Overall Program graduation rate: 100%
- Percentage of program graduates who pass ABPTS Exam: To be published June 2025
The program monitors graduates’ ongoing professional development, performance on the ABPTS Orthopaedic Specialist Exam, and their career roles for up to five years.
ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet