2022 MedBridge Prep Program Updates for APTA Specialist Certifications

MedBridge is committed to ensuring that our Certification Prep Programs are up to date and accurate. We review our programs annually to keep the content aligned with evolving clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and the “Description of Specialty Practice” (DSP).

The updates we make include refilming courses, revising existing course and curriculum material, updating practice exam questions, and adding new references and articles. We strive to continue to offer a comprehensive, up-to-date program that not only prepares you to pass the test but also advances your clinical knowledge and practice to best support patient outcomes.

Below you’ll find information regarding recent updates across several of the MedBridge Certification Prep Programs for APTA specializations.

MedBridge Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Prep Program Updates

The MedBridge Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Prep Program underwent significant recent updates to ensure a best-in-class program. After a detailed analysis of the courses, exams, and updated clinical practice guidelines, MedBridge made substantial changes to the program, including updated practice exams, new course launches, and additional articles and references for a complete curriculum.

Updated Practice Exams

MedBridge analyzed past quiz performances to revamp the practice exams to be more reflective of the difficulty of the exam. New questions were incorporated based on updated CPGs.

New Courses

Based on new and updated CPGs, along with feedback from past participants, MedBridge revised the curriculum with new content addressing the latest evidence in applicable formats such as short-format case-based courses.

New Case Study Courses in Formats to Enhance Learning: Short and Full-Length Courses

We added short-format case-based courses, filmed with Mary Derrick-Manis, PT, DPT, PhD(c), OCS, FAAOMPT, addressing prominent areas of the exam in a concise, practical format to simulate the critical thinking required. Newly updated full-length courses on patient cases for knee pain and upper extremity neuropathies will also be available and are launching in early December 2022.

Short-format courses available now:

• Staged Approach for Rehabilitation Classification of the Shoulder
• Assessment Approach for Cervicogenic Dizziness
• Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Cause for Low Back Pain
• Risk Assessment for Cervical Spine Manipulation
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical Practice Guideline Review

Full-length courses launching December 2022:

• Pain in the Knee: Integrating Evidence into Patient Cases
• Upper Extremity Neuropathies: Problem-Solving with Patient Cases

New Full-Length Courses Highlighting Updated CPGs and Contextual Factors

• Clinical Practice Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Concussion, taught by Caralyn Baxter, PT, DPT

Based on new guidelines, MedBridge launched a concussion course specifically for the Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Prep Program. This course addresses current evidence-based clinical practice for concussion recognition, evaluation, and treatment.

• Lumbar Guidelines: A Synthesized Outlook and Contextual Factors for Success, taught by Elizabeth Lane, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT

Given the multiple lumbar clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), MedBridge created a course to synthesize the evidence and compare the different guidelines, as well as highlight contextual factors of patient care.

Updated courses taught by Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, MPH

Based on the revised ankle stability CPG published in 2021, MedBridge is filming updated courses by Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, MPH, to be launched in early January 2023. They will be an updated version of the course titles below:

• ICF Best Practice Recommendations: Lateral Ankle Sprain Interventions
• ICF Clinical Practice Guidelines Update: Lateral Ankle Sprains

MedBridge Sports Clinical Specialist Prep Program Updates

The MedBridge Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) Prep Program received curriculum updates to continue ensuring a superior program is available for clinicians. After thorough analysis of the courses, practice exams, and CPGs, MedBridge updated practice questions and implemented new courses to provide the most current evidence. Comprehensive study guides continue to be available throughout the curriculum to support knowledge assessment in an interactive format.

Updated Practice Exams

MedBridge revamped practice exams based on detailed question-by-question analysis. Updates to questions and answer choices reflect both the difficulty level of the exam and new evidence.

New Courses

MedBridge is in the final stages of launching six new courses taught by Kyle Matsel, PT, DPT, PhD, SCS, CSCS; Todd Arnold, MD; and Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, MPH. These will replace previous versions of the courses and cover updated best practices, such as the revised ankle stability CPG published in 2021 and evidence-based applications of treatment for low back pain. These courses will be available just in time for your final examination preparations:

Launching December 2022, taught by Todd Arnold, MD, and Kyle Matsel, PT, DPT, PhD, SCS, CSCS:

• Secrets of Mastering the Athletic Low Back Pain Examination
• Athletic Low Back Pain: Secrets for Effective Management and Treatment
• Overcoming Cervical and Thoracic Spine Dysfunction in Athletes
• Clinical Reasoning for the Spine-Injured Athlete

Launching early January 2023, taught by Todd Davenport, PT, DPT, MPH:

• ICF Best Practice Recommendations: Lateral Ankle Sprain Interventions
• ICF Clinical Practice Guidelines Update: Lateral Ankle Sprains

MedBridge Geriatric Clinical Specialist Prep Program Updates

The MedBridge Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) Prep Program has the highest pass rate for our participants at 95 percent, with 93 percent of people agreeing or strongly agreeing that the prep program contributed to their passing of the test.

MedBridge continues to strive to improve the program, and we are launching new and updated courses to ensure the latest evidence-based practice is incorporated throughout.

New Courses and Updated Curriculum

Available now and taught by Kathryn Brewer, PT, DPT, MEd, GCS, CEEAA:

• Social Determinants of Health: Impacting Geriatric Care Management
• Identifying and Managing Frailty in Therapy Care for Older Adults

New courses launching in January 2023 taught by Stefany Shaibi, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS:

• Preventing Ageism in Healthcare
• Aging Muscle
• Joint Therapy for the Older Adult

New courses launching in January 2023 taught by Karen Mueller, PhD, DPT, PT, NBC-HWC:

• Health Coaching Interventions for the Older Adult with Chronic Disease
• Health Coaching Interventions for the Older Adult

Based on feedback from past participants, wound care and pharmacology topics surfaced as common challenges faced on the exam. As such, MedBridge added in appropriate courses to address these topics. In collaboration with Kathryn Brewer, PT, DPT, MEd, GCS, CEEAA, new research articles were identified and added to the curriculum across key exam topics to provide additional context and preparation opportunities.

Other MedBridge PT Specialization Prep Programs

Our newer Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) and Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) prep programs were reviewed by our consultant team and continue to receive positive feedback from those using the programs to prepare for the exams. These programs will undergo a more thorough review and update in the coming year.