Section on
Clinical Electrophysiology

WOUND MANAGEMENT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP


Laurie Rappl, PT; Span-Amenca, Inc.; 864 288-8877

The APTA's Section on Clinical Electrophysiology (SCE) recently announced creation of the Wound Management SIG for PTs and PT Assistants.

The Wound Management SIG is the first SIG to form within the SCE. Bonnie Sparks, PT, Peoria, AZ, has been appointed as interim Chairperson for the SIG. Bonnie began laying groundwork for a SIG for Wound Management several years ago under another section, and notes the extreme activity already generated by the new SIG, its organizers, and its members. "We look forward to interfacing more closely with our colleagues in health care, and adding to the wound care teams and programs to improve patient care."

The goals of the new Wound Management SIG include:

  1. establishing a national certification examination for a Wound Management Clinical Specialty for physical therapists
  2. fostering physical therapy management of wound healing based upon a scientific foundation
  3. providing standards for entry-level physical therapy education programs regarding the management of wounds
  4. encouraging and fostering clinical and laboratory research through dissemination, presentation, and mentorship I
  5. providing a forum for the discussion of the management of wound healing among Pt's from the various APTA sections
  6. establishing standards for measurement protocols and terminology
  7. providing a framework for interaction of other health care professionals who treat wounds
  8. providing a network for enhancing communication between researchers in the PT community intererested in the management of wounds

"Since word of the SIG has spread, we've seen a definite increase in our membership" says Bob Sellin, MS PT ECS, Lexington KY, the current chairperson of the Section on Clinical Electrophysiology. "The subject is timely. and we look forward to actively pursuing educational opportunities for the members of this SIG."

The Clinical Electrophysiology section itself was formed over 20 years ago to address issues related to the use of electric stimulation, says Luther Kloth PT, ME , Millwaukee Wl, a past president of the section. While electric sumulation is used in many therapies, including muscle re-education, biofeedback and pain control, Kloth says many PTs within the group began to focus intently or the circulation enhancement and wound healing applications of the modality.

"Several people within the group were using electrical stim clinically, and doing clinical trials and research in that area," he says. "As more and more therapists gravitated toward the wound healing side of e-stim, it paved the way for formation of a SIG."

For more information, contact Cindy Kincaid, PT, SCE membership chair, at 810-762-3373.