Thoughtfully designed lesson plans
Students are asked to perform 7 different Assessment to demonstrate their skill at the CMTO OSCE's. At Niagara College we always have this in mind with the way we test
Station # 1 Therapeutic Exercise
In this station, the candidate must demonstrate knowledge of five therapeutic exercises. The list of exercises provided includes a combination of stretching, strengthening, and range of motion techniques. Exercises should target the primary action(s) for the muscles provided. Generally, tasks may be performed in any order. The candidate will be instructed to use specific forms of resistance such as an adjustable ankle weight, a dumbbell, a resistance band, or body weight. There is also an exercise mat (for use on the floor), a chair, a towel, and a massage table available in the room. For exercises that occur on a limb, the candidate is not required to perform the task bilaterally. The client is dressed in exercise appropriate attire. The client has already given informed consent, including written consent when appropriate, so that the candidate can proceed with the required tasks.
Station # 2 Client Interview
The stem provides a list of the client's health history findings (e.g., the client’s primary complaint, involvement in other health care, medication use, history of disease, etc.). The candidate is expected to interview the client to obtain additional information regarding the primary complaint for the purpose of informing further assessment and treatment planning. The client will respond to questions about the complaint and about their health history in general. The client is seated and clothed for the health history interview. There is no equipment provided or required for this station. Consent is not applicable so the candidate can proceed with the interview upon entering the station.
Station # 3: Assessment 1
The candidate is expected to perform specific assessment techniques. A list of tasks is provided to the candidate that includes a combination of palpations, range of motion assessments, muscle strength/length tests, and neurological and orthopedic tests. The candidate may perform these tasks in any order as the tasks are not intended to form a cohesive massage therapy assessment. The client is healthy and will not portray positive test results. Tasks that occur on a limb may be performed unilaterally. The candidate will have access to equipment including a reflex hammer, cotton balls, and a pinwheel. The client is dressed in shorts and a tank top (they will not consent to removing articles of clothing). The client has already given informed consent for the assessment, including written consent when appropriate, so consent is not required during the station
Station # 4: Assessment 2
In this station, the candidate is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the client by choosing and performing assessment techniques relevant to the health history and assessment findings provided. The assessment should include a variety of special tests, range of motion, and palpations to determine the cause of the client’s symptoms and exclude other possible causes. Gait and standing postural assessments are not required. Generally, assessments that are performed on a limb can be performed unilaterally for the purpose of the OSCE. The client will not respond to questions about the information provided on the stem (for example, their health history findings), but the client will respond with positive test results when assessments provoke symptoms or cause pain. The client will respond to questions about their responses to assessments. The candidate should communicate their suspected clinical impression to the client. The candidate will have access to equipment such as a reflex hammer, cotton balls, and a pinwheel if required. The client is dressed in shorts and a tank top (they will not consent to removing articles of clothing). The client has already given informed consent for the assessment, including written consent when appropriate, so that the candidate can proceed with the required tasks.
Station # 5 Consent
Selected findings from the client’s health history interview and assessment are provided to the candidate. Generally, the client will not answer questions about the health history and assessment findings. The candidate is expected to design an initial treatment considering findings provided on the stem, communicate that plan to the client, and obtain informed consent to proceed with the treatment. When necessary, candidates are also expected to obtain written consent for the inclusion of any relevant sensitive areas (a reusable written consent form is available which the client will complete using a dry erase marker at the candidate’s request). The client is fully clothed and will not consent to removing any articles of clothing. Other than the written consent form, there is no other equipment provided or required. Please refer to the Appendix for a sample written consent form (modified for exam purposes).
Station # 6 Treatment
Selected findings from the client’s health history interview and assessment are provided to the candidate. The candidate is expected to use this information to design and perform a focused massage therapy treatment that addresses each of the presenting symptoms with suitable techniques within the scope of practice for massage therapy. The candidate should incorporate the principles of massage as appropriate (e.g., introductory techniques before deeper techniques). The candidate is not required to treat the unaffected side. The candidate will have access to equipment such as oil, lotion, and towels. Hydrotherapy is not available nor required. The client will be positioned on a treatment table in his or her underwear (covered by linen and a blanket). The candidate may reposition the client if they choose. The client will not respond to questions about the information on the stem (for example, history findings) but will respond to questions about comfort. The client has already given informed consent, including written consent when appropriate, so that the candidate can proceed with the required tasks
Station # 7 Techniques
In this station, the candidate is expected to demonstrate their ability to perform a variety of massage therapy techniques on specific anatomical structures/areas. A list of 6 techniques is provided to the candidate. The candidate may perform these techniques in any order as the techniques are not intended to form a cohesive massage therapy treatment. The candidate should perform only the techniques listed. As such, introductory and closing techniques are not required for the tasks listed. The client will be position on a table in his or her underwear (covered by linen and a blanket). The candidate may reposition the client if they chose. The candidate will have access to equipment such as oil, lotion , and towels. Hydrotherapy is not available nor required. The client has already given informed consent, including written consent when appropriate, so that the candidate can proceed with the requires tasks.
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