CEUs and the State
Some of the states that require CEUs for therapists only allow a certain portion to be taken at home. The other portion must be at a "live" presentation, usually on a weekend. Why can't there be continuity in CEU attainment? Some states don't require any CEUs for PTAs. Also, going to a live presentation can place a burden on the therapist financially. Employers will usually reimburse for the cost of the course, hotel, food and travel expenses. However, there is a limit on how much an employer will reimburse. Out-of-pocket expenses incur, they always do. What about single-parent therapists and child care for the weekend? Will the employer reimburse that expense? And if a course is longer than three days this impacts patient care. Perhaps revisions to the CEU requirements need to be done to ensure therapists can get the CEUs and maintain licensure.
I have children with disabilities and I do not trust them with anyone else other than my wife and sometimes it takes the two of us to maintain order on any given day. So why would a state say I must leave my family to attend a live course when we have the technology for me to take a course at home on the Internet, some with Webinar capabilities. I agree some courses require hands-on demonstration but most don't. The last wound course I took we used meat available in any supermarket to cross-hatch and practice with. With upgraded technology that carefully explains hand placement and techniques, is going to a live course necessary?
I have known some schools that do not have a cadaver to use during anatomy lessons. Guess what they use? The internet and a good anatomy program to learn the origin and insertion of muscle attachments. Since therapists are a progressive unit to make decisions on patient care, don't you think we should be able make a decision to take courses that meet our needs and family responsibilities? Some states don't think so. I agree that every state should have a standard of care but is it asking too much to have a national standard of care for therapists and assistants? Writing national standards for CEU attainment can be done with the stroke of a keyboard - how difficult can that be?