The APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) is the biggest physical therapy conference of the year and for professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, connect with peers, and explore advancements in the field, there is no better event.
To make the most of your time at CSM, it’s important to have a clear plan for navigating the multi-day journey. This blog offers strategies to help you prepare, engage, and take actionable steps for executing your plan for learning at CSM.
Define Your CSM Learning Goals and Opportunities
Having a structured strategy ensures you are efficient with your time and course selection at CSM. Before attending, considering the following:
- Your practice area: Are you focused on outpatient, neuro, inpatient, or another specialty?
- Foundational gaps: Identify areas where you feel less confident and prioritize sessions that address those needs.
- Certifications and courses: Research available certifications and foundational courses to determine which align with your goals.
Consider your Clinical Foundation
Building a strong clinical foundation is important for providing effective patient care in any setting. While advanced techniques like dry needling or Graston certification are exciting, it’s important to learn and apply the basics first.
Key Areas to Explore:
- Orthopedic manual courses: Essential for outpatient clinicians.
- Exercise prescription: Focus on functional movement and pain science to enhance patient outcomes.
- Clinical practice guidelines: Seek evidence-based courses that outline best practices for your specialty.
Continuing Education at CSM: Lectures, Courses and other Learning Opportunities
Identifying programming that aligns with your practice can significantly enhance your expertise. Certifications should support your growth in your chosen specialty, for example:
- Outpatient clinicians: Look for orthopedic, manual therapy, and exercise-based courses.
- Neuro and inpatient clinicians: Seek courses with strong evidence-based approaches tailored to these areas.
Preconference Courses
CSM offers preconference courses for attendees to earn extra CEUs and explore specific topics in depth. These sessions are perfect for clinicians wanting focused learning.
Main Conference Educational Sessions
Remember what we said earlier about advanced planning; the event includes hundreds of educational sessions spanning dozens of topics and areas. These sessions provide practical knowledge and skills that can be applied when you return to your clinic on Monday morning.
APTA CSM On Demand
To provide greater flexibility, APTA CSM On Demand offers virtual access to recorded educational sessions and digital posters. This is a resource to leverage when you can’t decide which course to take between two that are being offered at the same time.
Claiming CEUs
Participants can claim CEUs for both preconference and main conference sessions by following the guidelines provided on the APTA CSM website.
Connect with Industry Leaders Through CSM Learning
Engaging with influential figures in the field can provide an insightful and inspirational experience. Be on the lookout for well-known experts who often attend CSM to share their stories and research findings.
CSM Learning Checklist
Set Clear Goals:
- Define your learning objectives based on your specialty.
- Identify key lectures and courses to attend.
Research Programming:
- Review the CSM schedule and prioritize evidence-based courses.
- Consider attending early morning group exercise classes.
Network Strategically:
- Connect with industry leaders and peers.
- Bring and exchange business cards with other clinicians in the sessions you attend.
Stay Open to Opportunities:
- Engage with exhibitors to learn about future educational prospects.
- Seek feedback on techniques or practices you wish to refine.
CSM learning opportunities offer so many resources for clinical professionals to grow, learn, and connect. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a first-year DPT student, preparation and active engagement are the keys to success.
By setting clear goals, exploring programming in advance, and connecting with industry leaders, you’ll leave CSM feeling fulfilled and inspired.
