Orthopedic Specialist Certification Examination

2010

Congratulations!!!

� You are to be commended for your participation

� I applaud your active commitment to improvement and specialization

� In my estimation – you represent the best the profession has to offer and you’re seeking the most impressive credential our association bestows

Why you’re doing this ……

Physical Therapists with OCS are more efficient when compared to

non-OCS clinicians - Hart DL, et al. JOSPT, 2000.

– improved sense of personal achievement – 96%– increased self confidence – 86% – increased prestige in a clinical setting – 83%– positively affected patient care – 75% – more interesting and fulfilling career – 72%– increased prestige in an academic setting – 68% – increase prestige of professional association – 67%– increased invited presentations – 52% – increased new job opportunities – 44%– opportunity for increased responsibility – 43%

9409 ABPTS Board Certified Clinical Specialists

Specialty Area Number of Certified Specialists

Cardiopulmonary 138

Clinical Electrophysiologic 139

Geriatric 1006

Neurologic 747

Orthopedic 5590

Pediatric 943

Sports 775

Women’s Health 61

Preparation and Study

� Self Assessment using DSP to determine areas of weakness for increased focus

– Find a comprehensive review chapter or article

– Be familiar with guide terminology

– Review Courses

– Ortho Section Home Study Courses

– Ortho Section Current Concepts Courses (12 monographs)

– Literature review – current test is based on 1999-2001 survey, test questions, and input

– Teach someone what you’re learning

Tidbits from CSM meeting

� 2007-08 literature findings can not theoretically be on the exam

� “guide correct”

� Committee of content experts have tried to eliminate philosophy bias and terminology

� Too many elbow … too much McKenzie … too much spine …. too much research ….

– I read those questions ten times so it seems like there was

more of that

What Textbooks?

� Orthopedic Physical Assessment– David J. Magee

– W.B. Saunders, 4th Edition 2002

� Orthopedic Manual Therapy– Chad Cook

– Prentice-Hall, 2006

� Scientific Foundations and Principles of Practice in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

– David J. Magee, James E. Zachazewski, William S. Quillen

– Saunders, 2007

What Journals?

� PT Journal

� JOSPT

� APMR

� Spine

� AJSM

� Manual Therapy

Independent Study Courses

� Current Concepts of Orthopedic Physical Therapy 2002 (may no longer be available in print)

– 12 monographs - $215

� Current Concepts of Orthopedic Physical Therapy 2006

– 12 monographs - $225

https://www.orthopt.org/store.php?user_level=2&type=2

Current Concepts Content

� Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-based Practice—Nicole Christensen, PT, MAppSc, OCS, FAAOMPT and Mark Jones, PT, MAppSc, MAPA, MMPA

� Physical Therapy Management Utilizing Current Evidence:– The Cervical Spine—Joshua A. Cleland, DPT, OCS; John D. Childs, PT, PhD, MBA, OCS, FAAOMPT;

and Alycia M. Markowski, PT, MPhySt, FAAOMPT

– The Thoracic Spine—William Egan, PT, OCS and Timothy W. Flynn, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT

– The Shoulder—George J. Davies, DPT, MEd, PT, SCS, ATC, LAT, CSCS, FAPTA; Kevin Wilk, DPT; Todd Ellenbecker, MS, PT, SCS, OCS, CSCS; Tim Tyler, MS, PT, ATC; Michael M. Reinold, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS; Bryan Heiderscheit, PhD, PT; Micheal A. Clark, DPT, MS, PT, PES; Rob Manske, MEd, MPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS; James W. Matheson, DPT, PT, SCS, CSCS; Daniel J.R. Kraushaar, MPT, CSCS; and Mike Mullaley, MS, PT

– The Elbow—Chris A. Sebelski, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

– The Wrist and Hand—Carolyn Wadsworth, PT, MS, OCS, CHT

– The Lumbar Spine—Julie M. Fritz, PT, PhD, ATC

– The Pelvis and Sacroiliac—Michael T. Cibulka, PT, DPT, MHS, OCS

– The Hip:—Phillip S. Sizer Jr, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT

– The Knee—Tara Jo Manal, PT, OCS, SCS and Lynne Sturgill, PT, MHS, OCS

– The Foot and Ankle—Stephen F. Reischl, PT, DPT, OCS and Lisa M. Noceti-DeWit, PT, DPT, ATC

– The Temporomandibular Joint—Nancy Adachi, PT, BA; Mary Ann Wilmarth, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, MTC, Cert MDT; and Robert L. Merrill, DDS, MS

Assignment

Second Recommendation

� Order a copy of the Orthopedic Description of Specialty Practice and the Orthopedic Self Assessment Tools for PTs available from the APTA

http://www.apta.org/products_services/online_catalog?&cat[1]=111&id[1]=926

Cost is $26 for members

� Read practice analysis surveyMilidonis MK, et al. Revalidation of advanced orthopedic clinical practice in orthopedic physical therapy. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther25(3):163-170, 1997.

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=ABPTS1&T

emplate=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=42

&ContentID=14391

APTA Specialist Certification Site

Resources

Today’s Topic Submitting your Application

Orthopedic Application Requirements

� Current license in U.S.

� Pay application review and examination fees

� 2000 direct patient care hours in past ten years (500 in last 3 yrs.) or completion of APTA credentialed post-professional residency

APTA Member Non-Member Payment Due

Application Review $500 $845 7/31/067 (non-refundable)

Examination $800 $1525 11/1/07(Refund –15%)

TOTAL FEES $1,300 $2,370

http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Exams&CONTENTID=37276&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm

Critical Dates

� Application Deadline – July 31, 2007

– All exam requirements must be met by this date

� Acceptance notification in early November, 2007

� Testing Dates – February 27 – March 13, 2011

� Exam Performance reported in June, 2011

Application and Information Packet

� Free 2008 Application packet available for download– http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Exams&TEMPLATE=

/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=65253

– Hard copy available by mail for $15

2011 Examination

� February 27 – March 13, 2011

� Electronic testing at Prometric, Inc – division of Thomson Learning

� Administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners®

(NBME®)

Computer-based testing

� Test taken via computer with candidate providing responses usinga mouse or a keyboard

� Prometric provides a tutorial at the beginning of the examination session so that candidates can become comfortable with testing method

� Candidates may use up to 20 minutes before beginning the examination to compete this tutorial

� The Specialist Certification Department sends approved candidates a diskette copy of this tutorial so that they may familiarize themselves with the examination format before the actual examination day

Exam format and length

� Only written – no practical or simulation components

� Approximately 200 items

� Objectively measure the application of advanced knowledge and skills as required by Orthopedic DSP

� Multiple choice (stand-alone or case-study series)

� Examination is administered in two 3 hour sections – 6 hours total

� Optional lunch break after the first section.

Information Booklet and Application

� Information booklet and application available for download at no cost from APTA's Specialist Certification Department Website

– www. apta.org – under “Professional Development”

– print version of the information booklet and application is available for a fee of $15.

– APTA Accounting Department Specialist Certification 2004 Information Booklet & Application

1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-1488

– If you would prefer to use your credit card to order a print copy of the application book, you may fax the application book order form toAPTA at 703/838-8910

� The ABPTS and orthopedic specialty councils established a Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE) that works with the NBME to train SACE members to write test questions.

� Members of SACE are certified specialists and represent a wide diversity of experience in type of practice setting, practice focus, geographic region, gender, age, schools of thought, etc.

� Workshops for members of SACE are held each year at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting

� Subject matter experts and test editors extensively review and edit test questions before they are placed on an exam

Who oversees content?

Matrix 1 – Knowledge Areas and Procedures

� Human Anatomy and Physiology (10%)

� Movement Science (10%)

� Pathophysiology (10%)

� Orthopaedic Medicine/Surgical Intervention (10%)

� Evidence Based Orthopedic Theory and Practice (10%)

� Critical Inquiry/Evidence Based Practice (10%)

� Examination* (20%)

� Procedural Intervention (20%)

Total – 100 questions

* The examination is not testing performance of an actual examination. Rather, it is testing the critical thinking processes related in examination.

Matrix 2 – Body Regions

� Cranial/Mandibular (5%)

� Spine (40%)

– Cervical - 15%, Thoracic spine/ribs - 5%, Lumbar - 20%

� Upper Extremity (25%)

– Shoulder/shoulder girdle - 15%, Arm/elbow - 5%, Wrist/hand - 5%

� Pelvic Girdle/Sacroiliac/Coccyx/Abdomen (5%)

� Lower Extremity (25%)

– Hip - 5%, Thigh/knee - 10%, Leg/ankle/foot - 10%

Total – 100 questions

Content Example

� 10% of knowledge area is on anatomy and physiology and 10% of the questions on the body are on leg/foot/ankle.

– 200 items x .10 x .10 = 2 questions on foot/ankle anatomy

� 20% of knowledge area is on procedural interventions and 20% of questions on the lumbar spine

– 200 items x .20 x . 20 = 8 questions on treating the lumbar spine

OCS Exam Survey

Based on 23 respondents from HealthSouth study groups that took the test in 2006 and 2007

Survey Highlights

� 83% recommend review of Journal Orthopedic Sports Physical Therapy

� 61% recommend review of Magee’s Orthopedic Physical Exam and 26% recommend Placzek’s Orthopedic Secrets

� 48% wish they had spent more time reviewing critical inquiry, research, and statistical analysis

Survey Highlights

� 91% thought the questions were well written and easy to understand

� 86% thought the content was a fair representation of an orthopedic specialist’s knowledge and experience

� 27% thought the distracters for each stem were easy to distinguish with a single, best answer (as opposed to having to make a value judgment)

Survey Highlights

� Most clinicians used the majority of the time allotted for the test

– Average of 5.48 hours of the 6 allowed

� 96% took a break between the two sections that averaged 38 minutes

Filling out the Application

� APTA Member #

� Name – as on identification card used

� Participation in Study Group ?

� Answer #1-24

License Verification

Must submit a copy of the on-line or hard copy verification of your licensure

License Verification URL Addresses

http://www.ecptote.state.tx.us/license/

Description of PT Experience Form

� Separate sheet for each facility in which you have actually practiced

� Separate sheet for each position in which you have actually practiced

� Provide information for up to last 10 years

� If you practice in more than one specialty area – you should estimate the amount of time spent in “orthopedics”

� Complete Summary Chart

Is your application complete?

� Is affidavit and pledge of confidentiality notarized?

� Did you verify your license?

� Did you describe your experience for all jobs and positions?

� Did you complete the summary chart of your experience?

� Did you write your name on every page of the application?

� Did you make a copy of your application?

� Did you enclose payment form and review fee?

� Did you enclose self-addressed envelope to confirm receipt of application?