Each year, therapists around the globe are invited to participate in Hand Therapy Week to raise awareness of hand therapy and promote the benefits of the specialty to referral sources and the public.
As a service to our members and committed therapists, ASHT strives to provide new resources in line with the annual event. This year, we are excited to release new Patient Education Resources for therapists to use as a convenient tool for patient care.
These flyers, developed by the Practice Standards Commission, provide information on common diagnoses and educate patients on the role a hand therapist plays in their treatment.
“The commission has designed these brochures for consumer information, but therapists will be able to use them as an educational resource,” said Practice Division Director Diane Coker, DPT, CHT. “The brochures will be a timesaver for busy clinics, as the text and illustrations provide answers to many of the questions patients often ask their therapist about their diagnosis.”
The Patient Education Resources will not only serve as an educational tool, but also help raise awareness of hand therapy in the public domain.
“Hand Therapy Week provides a special time for us to promote hand therapy, and having these brochures available for distribution during that week will be a great marketing tool,” said Coker.
Resources now available in the Patients section of the ASHT website are:
What is a Hand Therapist?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Extensor Tendon Injury
Trigger Finger
The Practice Standards Commission will continue developing this series and more resources will be released in the near future.
The ASHT Photo Contest also returns for Hand Therapy Week 2014. This annual contest invites members to submit their best hand-related photos for a chance to win prizes and, of course, bragging rights. Photo submissions will be available on the ASHT Facebook page throughout Hand Therapy Week, and members of the public can vote for this year's winners by clicking the "Like" button. Voting will open June 2 and close at 11:59 p.m. June 8.
Hand Therapy Week brings the benefits of the hand therapy specialty to new audiences, demonstrating the advantages of prevention and treatment procedures for patients who have been affected by an injury or trauma, and educating the public. We love seeing the creative ways our members choose to celebrate the week, and we invite you to share those ideas with us both by email and through social media. Post to the ASHT Facebook page, tweet us using #HTW2014 and @HandTherapyASHT and join the conversation on our LinkedIn page.
Want to celebrate, but don’t know where to start? The celebration ideas are endless! Create buzz in your local media by sharing your personal success, patient accomplishments, hand safety tips and news through targeted media outreach. Hold an open house at your clinic. Put together fun baskets for referral sources. Organize a contest in your community. Write a letter to your local Chamber of Commerce, requesting a state proclamation. Browse ASHT's resources, templates and more on our Hand Therapy Week page.
Thank you to everyone participating, our committed volunteers and our 2014 Hand Therapy Week sponsor, Handeze!