Complex Conditions of the Hand: A Resource for Rural Therapists

The purpose of this project was to address multiple disparities in the complex treatment of upper extremity conditions and injuries in the rural therapy setting with an accessible educational resource. These disparities include the lack of continuing education specifically targeted at the rural healthcare setting, the barriers to unique occupation-based treatment which occupational therapists are obligated to administer, and the need to provide information regarding hand therapy protocols to bridge the communication gap between hand specialists and rural therapists. The project was completed at the Monument Health Orthopedic and Specialty Hospital in Rapid City, SD, in an outpatient hand therapy and neurology setting. While the project was developed by an occupational therapy student, it was completed with supervision and revision suggested by a site mentor (OTR/L), faculty mentor (OTD), and other interprofessional clinicians such as physical therapists and hand specialists. The culminating product was guided by the biomechanical, rehabilitative, and Canadian Model of Occupational Performance (CMOP-E) and concluded with the publishing of an online website with four downloadable presentations involving flexor tendon injuries, complex trauma, distal radius fractures, and CMC thumb arthritis/arthroplasty