Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program

Program Overview

---

The University of Hartford and Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network offer a 13-month hybrid residency program in advanced orthopedic physical therapy. The program combines clinical practice, learning activities, teaching, and scholarship to prepare residents for advanced clinical practice, scholarly activities, and clinical instruction. Residents receive mentorship from board-certified physical therapy specialists and collegiate faculty, and the program emphasizes evidence-based clinical practice and prepares graduates for leadership roles in the field.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview

---

Overview:

The University of Hartford, in partnership with Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, offers a 13-month hybrid residency program in advanced orthopedic physical therapy. This program aims to educate and mentor residents in advanced clinical practice, scholarly activities, and clinical instruction of entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. The program prepares graduates to meet the requirements for the Specialist Certification in Orthopedics offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS).

---

Objectives:

• Develop residents into advanced practitioners in the field of orthopedic physical therapy.
• Promote lifelong learning, teaching, and scholarship in physical therapy.
• Recruit and retain motivated therapists who want to advance their orthopedic clinical and leadership skills.
• Provide mentorship and instruction in clinical care, clinical education, and scholarship.
• Integrate evidence-based clinical practice into didactic and clinical learning environments.
• Improve access to highly qualified orthopedic physical therapists in Connecticut.
• Prepare graduates to take the Specialist Certification in Orthopedics exam offered by the ABPTS.

---

Program Description:

The program comprises a hybrid format, including clinical practice, learning activities, teaching, and scholarship. Residents are mentored by board-certified physical therapy specialists and collegiate faculty in various settings. The program emphasizes evidence-based clinical practice and aims to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the field of orthopedic physical therapy.

---

Outline

---

Structure:

The program consists of a 13-month hybrid format, with residents dedicating approximately 40-50 hours per week to the program. The breakdown is as follows:

• Clinical practice: 65% (approximately 32-34 hours per week)
• Learning activities: 20%
• Teaching: 10%
• Scholarship: 5%

---

Clinical Practice:

Residents receive opportunities to develop advanced clinical skills through mentored and independent practice at Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network. This exposure encompasses diverse patient populations across the lifespan and various cultures.

---

Learning Activities:

• Residents participate in a Certificate Program in Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy at the University of Hartford (221 hours).
• Resident case rounds/journal club (19.5 hours).
• Skills labs (40 hours).
• AOPT residency curriculum package (175 hours).
• MedBridge self-learning modules (18 hours).

---

The Certificate Program in Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy:

This program consists of 12 credits, with each course focusing on a specific body region or specialty content area. The courses cover clinical anatomy, biomechanics, examination, evaluation, and intervention strategies. Each course includes a two-day weekend intensive lecture/lab session and four weeks of online content, including interactive case-based discussions.

---

Teaching:

Residents participate in teaching opportunities at the University of Hartford and Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network. These roles may include serving as a laboratory assistant in the entry-level DPT curriculum, guest lecture opportunities, and continuing education lectures. Residents develop foundational teaching skills and receive constructive feedback on their performance.

---

Scholarship:

---

Other

• The program welcomes applications for residency cohorts beginning in Summer 2023.
• The application deadline is May 1st.
• The program is heavily focused on experiential learning and mentoring, supplemented with didactic education.
• The program offers the opportunity to experience sub-specialties within the field of physical therapy.
• Graduates are prepared to meet the requirements for the Specialist Certification in Orthopedics offered by the ABPTS.