Course objectives:

1. Define ageism and recognize its impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes
2. Apply the 5M framework to address both internal and societal ageism
3. Identify strategies to integrate the 5Ms into clinical practice to provide optimal care for older adults
4. Develop skills to advocate for age-friendly practices
5. Apply the 5Ms to case studies designed to combat ageist physical therapy practices

Course Description:

This continuing education course is designed for physical therapists who seek to enhance their understanding of ageism and how negative stereotypes on aging can negatively impact healthcare, including physical therapy practice. This course will utilize the Geriatric 5Ms as a comprehensive framework for attendees to evaluate their own views on ageism, make decisions on best practices in geriatric physical therapy, and implement anti-ageist strategies in their own clinical practice. This course will use interactive lectures, small group discussions, and case studies to assist participants in learning how to mitigate ageist attitudes and behaviors. 

Speaker Bio:

Karen Blood is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at Quinnipiac University, teaching in the content areas of physical therapy process, pathophysiology, applied pharmacology, acute care and cardiopulmonary physical therapy, and geriatrics. She earned a BS in Exercise Science from Sacred Heart University in 2001 and went on to receive her MS in Physical Therapy in 2003. Karen received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2014 from Northeastern University. She completed her Doctor of Health Science degree at the University of Bridgeport with a focus on healthcare education in 2021. Her dissertation work focused on resilience training in physical therapy students. She has been recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist since 2011.Karen has over 20 years of experience in inpatient care in both sub-acute and acute care environments. She has a passion for working with older adults, especially those with complex medical diagnoses. She has presented topics related to the care of older adults at the state, national, and international levels and has been published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. Karen is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the CT Chapter of the APTA, serving as a member of the state Programming Committee and as a program coordinator for the Geriatric Special Interest Group. At the national level, she serves on the Geriatric Specialty Panel for the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialists and is the chair of the Academic Education Committee for the Academy of Geriatrics, a committee that recently led the way in revising the Essential Competencies in the Care of Older Adults at the Completion of Entry-Level Physical Therapy Education. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand core data concepts including terminology, as well as data types, sources, and structures
• Recognize the importance of data in decision-making
• Read and interpret data
• Develop a data literate mindset
• Communicate data effectively
• Apply data literacy skills to real-world scenarios

Course Objectives:

1. Review of basic anatomy and functioning of pelvic floor musculature 
2. Understand and identify additional patient factors that can impact pelvic floor functioning in the pediatric population
3. Understand how to adapt treatment sessions and plans of care to accommodate for additional intrinsic and extrinsic factors

Speaker Bios:

Annmarie Charno, PT, DPT
Annmarie is a Physical Therapist in Fairfield County, CT. She is a graduate of Ithaca College, B.S. in Clinical Health Studies (2013) and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) (2015). Annmarie works with both developmental pediatric and sports medicine/orthopedic patients. She completed her Pelvic Floor Level 1 training with Herman and Wallace in 2023 and has been working with patients with bowel/bladder dysfunction since then. 

Kimberly King, PT, MPT 

Kim is an outpatient physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s since 2003. She has interests in aquatics and has co-established the Pediatric Pelvic Floor Program at Connecticut Children’s in January 2017. Kimberly has participated in advanced training in pediatric incontinence and functional gastrointestinal disorders and has had the opportunity to treat patients with bowel and bladder dysfunction for the past 7 years. She is passionate about improving patients function and outcomes related to continence both urinary and bowel and overall quality of life. Kimberly is also a co-investigator in a research study currently active at Connecticut Children’s related to anal rectal manometry in children with anxiety and outcomes with pelvic floor physical therapy including biofeedback.