Skilled Maintenance Therapy: A Call to Action
Description
Description: Physical therapists play a pivotal role in maintaining function and quality of life throughout the course of our patients’ lives, especially in the presence of a progressive disorder. Legislation and guidelines have been established to support clinical decision-making and the provision of maintenance-based, rather than traditional “restorative” therapy; however many clinicians report barriers to implementation. This session will provide an overview toward identifying candidates, establishing a plan of care, documenting maintenance therapy, and discharging or transitioning patients between treatment paradigms.
Objectives:
(1) Select the appropriate patient for a skilled maintenance therapy plan
(2) Develop an impactful frequency and duration of care for a skilled maintenance therapy plan
(3) Justify and document a skilled maintenance therapy plan
About The Speaker(s)
Robert (Bobby) C. Hand, PT, DPT, is a board-certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) with extensive expertise in neurologic rehabilitation. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Saint Joseph’s University, where he received the William B. Inverso, Jr. Award for Excellence in Physical Therapy Research. Bobby's passion for neurologic physical therapy was shaped by clinical internships, including his final placement at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.
In 2015, Bobby moved to Richmond, VA, to take on clinical leadership roles at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders. In 2018, he was awarded the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Early Career Professional Award and the Degenerative Diseases Special Interest Group Volunteer Award. He worked at VCU Health’s Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center until returning to Philadelphia in 2023 to take on a faculty role at Drexel University. He continues to work clinically with Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and regularly collaborates with the Parkinson’s Foundation, LiftPD, and other patient-facing organizations.
