Although Hawaii is one of the few states that has no continuing education requirements for physical therapists, a number of continuing education courses are offered through different organizations. The American Physical Therapy Association offers various continuing education courses. Some of these are highly specialized courses that train physical therapists in working with specific segments of the population. For instance, the association offers a course on working with people who have Parkinson's disease. Other courses deal with various aspects of the physical therapy profession. Some of these include courses in evidence based principles of musculoskeletal imaging, musculoskeletal complaints, lumbar instability, health promotion and wellness and evidence based intervention in dealing with medically complex older adults.
Because physical therapists are not required to meet a minimum number of continuing education hours of study, they may choose to enrich their practice by taking a number of courses online. Websites such as OnlineCE (see References) offer a number of specialized courses in the PT field. Some of these include areas of study such as wound management, therapeutic modalities, manipulation and technique, clinical rehabilitation of the wrist, atlas of the hand clinic, hand therapy treatment activities, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue, pain management, pharmacology and upper extremity anatomy.
Correspondence courses are generally offered through an institution, company or clinic that is focused on the study of physical therapy and other related fields. For instance, the Institute of Somatic Therapy offers correspondence courses that provide physical therapists with study materials and a DVD, allowing them to complete coursework at their own pace. Some of these courses are also offered in an online format as well in order to provide as much flexibility as possible. Correspondence courses include studies in the prevention of medical errors, communicable diseases, physical therapy in obstetric care, facilitated stretching and lower-back disorders.