This unique program is offered fully online, allowing flexibility for working therapists who can do most of the work in an asynchronous format.

The program includes approximately three to five asynchronous hours of learning per week, with two additional synchronous hours per week where learners come together and review the previous week's content. You may also be expected to deliver presentations during some synchronous sessions as well as report on the pre-work that came up during the asynchronous sessions.

Clinical mentorship is a personalized one-to-one learning experience that brings together the knowledge and skills developed throughout the clinical and core courses. You are encouraged to choose a mentor whose experience aligns with an area where you feel less confident, allowing you to focus on specific learning needs. The mentorship provides an opportunity to revisit concepts, ask questions, and deepen understanding in a supportive environment. It is particularly valuable for strengthening clinical reasoning, enhancing practical skills, and building confidence in areas of upper limb rehabilitation that may require further development.

Clinical mentorships take place in the country where you are licensed to practice. Because mentorship opportunities are arranged globally, learners are responsible for identifying and securing their own clinical mentor(s).

The mentorship experience is designed to be flexible and tailored to individual learning goals. Mentorships may be one-to-one or in small group settings, and you may choose to divide your required hours among multiple mentors. For example, you can complete a portion of your mentorship hours with one clinician and then continue with another to gain experience in a different area of practice.

This flexibility allows learners to customize their mentorship experience, access a variety of clinical perspectives, and maximize opportunities for professional growth in areas that best support their learning needs.

This program was developed to support therapists at every stage of their professional journey.

New graduates can use the program to build foundational knowledge and clinical skills in upper extremity rehabilitation, helping prepare them for their first position in this specialized area of practice.

Therapists preparing for the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) exam will benefit from a curriculum that has been mapped to the CHT exam content areas. For those who have met the required clinical hours and eligibility criteria, the program provides a comprehensive framework to support exam preparation and professional development.

Experienced hand therapist or therapists working in upper extremity rehabilitation can use the program to further refine their practice through advanced learning. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of research-informed, evidence-based decision-making, helping them improve their clinical practice and enhance patient care.

Research is a core component of the program, reflecting the importance of evidence-based decision-making in clinical practice. To apply research effectively, therapists must understand how evidence is generated, evaluated, and translated into patient care.

The program includes a dedicated research methods course that provides learners with the opportunity to take on a research project in a group format. This group-based approach allows learners to develop practical research skills while benefiting from peer support, shared expertise, and real-world experience throughout the research process.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at Western provides a unique learning environment for the Advanced Health Care Practice program through its strong connection with the Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre.

Learners benefit from direct access to expertise from a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and educators affiliated with the Centre. The program features lectures from hand and upper extremity surgeons, as well as mentorship and instruction from experienced physical therapists and occupational therapists who have worked, or continue to work, within the Centre.

In addition to course-based learning, students have the opportunity to attend clinical rounds conducted by the Centre’s surgical and rehabilitation teams. While optional, these rounds provide valuable exposure to real-world clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and complex upper extremity cases, further enriching the learning experience.

The program is designed for both occupational therapists and physical therapists who are interested in developing advanced knowledge and skills in upper limb rehabilitation. While extensive experience in upper extremity rehabilitation is not required, applicants will benefit from upper extremity or orthopedic experience before entering the program. A foundational understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation can help support success throughout the intensive, fast-paced curriculum.