Rehabilitation in hand surgery, 15 credits (ECTS)

This advanced-level course focuses on hand rehabilitation as an inter-professional subject area, emphasizing current research and development within the field from an evidence-based perspective. It integrates the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) by the WHO and adopts a biopsychosocial approach. 

Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide you with in-depth knowledge of hand rehabilitation, focusing on traumatic injuries and hand diseases. Key areas of study include:

• Injury mechanisms and contributing factors.
• Rehabilitation strategies to enhance function, activity, and participation.
• Independent and critical evaluation of current research in hand rehabilitation.
• Evidence-based analysis of occupational therapy and physiotherapy practices in hand rehabilitation.

Target groups

The course is primarily designed for registered occupational therapists and physiotherapists specialising in hand rehabilitation.

Course content

• Functional anatomy relevant to hand rehabilitation.
• Assessment and documentation methods for hand rehabilitation.
• Rehabilitation strategies for injuries and conditions affecting hand and arm, with a focus on improving function, activity and participation.
• Focused sections on multiple injuries, amputations, peripheral nerve and plexus injuries, tendon injuries (acute and elective), osteoarthritis/arthritis, fractures, joint injuries, hand diseases, and post-operative pain management.
• Hand surgery treatment approaches and their role in rehabilitation.

Teaching

You will attend in-person sessions in Malmö, Sweden, for one week on four occasions throughout the year, totaling 20 days. The course includes lectures, self-study, and literature seminars, requiring active participation, independent knowledge-seeking, and critical analysis. 

Between in-person sessions, you are expected to complete self-study and written assignments. Instruction is conducted in English. The international faculty consists of experts in hand rehabilitation and hand surgery.

To achieve a pass grade, you must:

• Attend at least 75% of the course sessions.
• Pass an individual written examination.
• Complete written assignments and an oral group examination with a passing grade.
• Actively participate in lectures and seminars.

If you miss sessions must complete supplementary assignments to fulfill course requirements.

Course organiser

The course is organised by the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine / Hand Surgery, Lund University.

Eligibility and admisson

To be eligible for admission, you must hold a bachelor’s degree (180 credits) in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy. Priority will be given to candidates with documented clinical experience in hand rehabilitation.      

Additionally, you must obtain managerial approval to enroll. During registration, you must provide your manager’s email address, which will be used to request approval. It is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure that your manager receives and responds to the approval request.

Note that to complete the application process you must submit supporting documents certifying: 

1. the academic credits you've earned, and;
2. the period and the nature of your work with hand rehabilitation. 

Click the register link on this web page for further instructions.

Costs and booking details

Cost: 33 800 SEK excluding VAT, travel and accommodations. 

Registration is binding. A minimum number of participants is required for the course to start, and there is also a maximum limit of participants based on the examination format. If you cancel 4 weeks before the course begins, a fee of 6,000 SEK will be charged. If you cancel less than 2 weeks prior to the course start, the full course fee will be charged. You can exchange participants before the course starts at any time without incurring any additional costs.