Primary Spine Care 17: Advanced Imaging, Diagnosing & Reporting Online

Syllabus

Course Description:

This course provides essential clinical skills for serving as the primary provider for spine care, emphasizing the imaging and diagnostic tools needed for accurate diagnosis. It covers effective collaboration with medical specialists, where the chiropractor, as the primary spine care provider, coordinates treatment based on clinical findings. Key competencies include triage, neurodiagnostics, and advanced imaging interpretation, focusing on MRI, CT scans, and ancillary tumor detection. Participants will gain practical, in-depth knowledge that can be immediately applied in their practice.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Triage Skills: Learn to effectively assess and prioritize patient conditions to determine the urgency of care needed, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
2. Neurodiagnostics: Gain expertise in diagnosing neurological disorders through various diagnostic techniques and tools.
3. Advanced Imaging Interpretation: Develop the ability to accurately interpret advanced imaging results such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays, crucial for informed clinical decision-making.

Goals:

• Equip yourself with the skills to collaborate with medical specialists effectively.
• Improve patient care through advanced diagnostic and interpretive abilities.

Module 1 – 2 Hours - Current and Future Trends in Documentation & Practice Growth - History Taking & Examination

Mark Studin DC,

Don Capoferri DC

Evidence-Based demonstrative documentation is typically the arbiter for creating successful patient-centered collaborative care. This "reputation building" focus has already helped develop relationships with MD PCPs, MD Specialists, ERs, and Urgent Care Centers.  This demonstratively removed the Non-Specific Back Pain "Dogma" that too many have held because technology and the evidence have not supported what chiropractic has known for over a century. We now have those tools, and once learned, chiropractic utilization "skyrockets” because of the evidence.

Module 2 – 2 Hours - MRI Spine Ancillary Tumor Detection and Advanced Imaging Stroke Detection-Diagnostic Testing & Differential Diagnosis

Patricia Roche, DO, Radiology, Neuroradiology

Mark Studin DC

A clinical case review of MRIs includes analyzing sagittal, axial, T1, T2, STIR, and proton density sequences. These imaging techniques help assess spinal structures and detect abnormalities. The sequences also identify ancillary findings such as renal, ovarian, extradural, and intradural tumors. Careful evaluation of spinal MRIs can reveal critical pathologies beyond musculoskeletal issues. Additionally, the morphology of the abdominal aorta is analyzed for potential stroke risks. This comprehensive approach enhances diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Module 3 – 1 Hour – Advanced Credential Reporting -Documentation

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

How to create a professional bio and CV, which is essential for establishing credibility in the medical-legal field. Incorporating outcome statistics from cases helps demonstrate your work's real-world impact, especially in the medical legal arena. By presenting detailed and demonstrative reporting, doctors can showcase their expertise and the effectiveness of their methods. Becoming published in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires rigorous research, peer review, and adherence to scientific standards. Publication in the NIH enhances a doctor's reputation by validating their work within the healthcare community and increasing their authority in their field. This recognition can lead to more significant professional opportunities, expert witness credibility, and a more substantial influence in healthcare policy and legal cases.

Module 4 – 2 Hours Age-Dating Herniated Disc, Diagnostic Testing & Differential Diagnosis

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

Age-dating herniated discs and trauma is a crucial skill for spine experts. It requires interpreting X-rays, MRIs, and other imaging alongside a deep understanding of joint pathology. This expertise is essential when collaborating with physicians or as a medical-legal expert. Accurate age-dating helps establish a prognosis for patient recovery. The process must be grounded in evidence-based rationale to ensure reliability. Mastering this skill enhances both clinical decision-making and legal credibility.

Module 5 – 1 Hour - Case History Presentation- History Taking & Examination

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

Clinical grand rounds for a case involve assessing disc, ligament, and spinal pathology. The process includes establishing a diagnosis, determining the prognosis, and developing a treatment plan. Special attention is given to conditions such as cord edema, myelomalacia, myelopathy, and tethered cords. Follow-up examinations play a crucial role in refining both the diagnosis and treatment approach. Adjustments to the treatment plan are made as new clinical findings emerge. This ensures patient care remains dynamic and responsive to evolving spinal conditions.

Module 6 – 2 Hour - Updated Trends in Spinal Biomechanics and Ligamentous Pathology - History Taking & Examination

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

The diagnosis and management of ligament (connective tissue) pathology in both chronic and acute patients require a deep understanding of evidence-based physiology, including the morphology, mechanisms, and sequelae of trauma. This includes an analysis of the compensatory actions of the human spine in response to injury. A master class in ligaments encompasses their anatomy, physiology, vascularization, neurological innervation, and tissue repair, all directly relevant to clinical practice. Ligament pathology is closely linked to the mechanisms underlying patho-neuro-biomechanical lesions, also known as the vertebral subluxation complex. Additionally, ligaments play a critical role in spinal adjustments, contributing to the definition and understanding of spinal adjustment mechanisms within chiropractic care.

Module 7 – 1 Hour - Case History Presentation- History Taking & Examination

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

Clinical grand rounds for a case involve assessing disc, ligament, and spinal pathology. The process includes establishing a diagnosis, determining the prognosis, and developing a treatment plan. Special attention is given to conditions such as cord edema, myelomalacia, myelopathy, and tethered cords. Follow-up examinations play a crucial role in refining both the diagnosis and treatment approach. Adjustments to the treatment plan are made as new clinical findings emerge. This ensures patient care remains dynamic and responsive to evolving spinal conditions.

Module 8 – 2 hours – Latest Evidence on Making Non-Specific Back Pain Specific - Diagnostic Testing & Differential Diagnosis

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

A statistical approach to spine triage evaluates evidence when comparing outcomes from chiropractors, physical therapists, and medical doctors in both the short and long term. This analysis includes assessments of pain reporting and disability status. An evidence-based method enhances spinal diagnosis by relying on measurable data rather than assumptions. It aims to clarify misconceptions surrounding “non-specific back pain.” By focusing on objective outcomes, this approach ensures more accurate treatment pathways. Ultimately, it promotes better patient care through data-driven decision-making.

Module 9 – 2 Hours - Creating Ethical Collaborative Relationships and the Documentation that Fosters Those Relationships -Ethical Billing & Coding

Mark Studin DC

Don Capoferri DC

Discussing future trends in chiropractic and clinical record-keeping is essential for maintaining professional excellence and delivering high-quality healthcare. As technological advancements and reimbursement models reshape the healthcare landscape, clinical documentation must also adapt to meet new standards. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, revisiting the fundamentals of proper record-keeping is beneficial. This step-by-step guide will provide insights into writing effective clinical notes by covering key aspects, including the purpose of clinical documentation, the importance of context, the essential components of a well-structured note, practical tips for improving documentation quality, and fundamental legal considerations. By mastering these principles, chiropractors can enhance patient care, streamline communication, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Total Academic Time: 15 Hours