- Email: [email protected]
The International CHT Credential
PRACTICE FORUM
The International CHT Credential The HTCC is continually contemporizing its product to reflect the changing needs of the hand therapy community. It is appropriate that in this 5th International Issue the HTCC should report on its investigation into expanding the CHT credential to additional countries around the world—PEGGY FILLION, OTR, CHT, Practice Forum Editor
THE INTERNATIONAL CHT CREDENTIAL Mary C. Kasch, OTR/L, CHT Brenda Hilfrank, PT, CHT International Standards Committee Hand Therapy Certification Commission In 2001, the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) conducted its third Practice Analysis of Hand Therapy. One of the goals of this study to was assess hand therapy in countries other than the United States and Canada, where the test has been administered since 1991. One reason for this interest was in response to inquiries from representatives from a number of countries regarding the feasibility of an international credential. In addition, some Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) who were credentialed while residing in the United States or Canada now live and work in other countries. Because HTCC had not studied practice in other countries prior to 2001, those therapists were unable to renew their credential using work hours obtained outside the United States and Canada. The commission determined that studying three additional countries—Great Britain, Australia, and South Africa—would provide meaningful information that could be used for a variety of purposes. Unfortunately, the results from South Africa could not be analyzed as the forms were lost due to heightened security following the September 11th attacks in New York City. However, based on the results from Australia and Great Britain, it was determined that hand therapy practice in those countries was similar to that of the United States and Canada. Contact was made with those countries to determine their interest in offering the credential. Additionally,
doi:10.1197/j.jht.2004.11.003
46
JOURNAL OF HAND THERAPY
HTCC began to accept work hours from Australia and Great Britain towards the eligibility requirements for CHT Certification and Recertification. The British Hand Therapy Association has developed its own credentialing system and did not wish to sponsor the CHT examination. However, a number of therapists in Australia were enthused about proceeding, and a local steering committee was established. Based on the ‘‘Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act,’’ which establishes practice reciprocity between New Zealand and Australia, the HTCC Board of Directors also added New Zealand to the list of eligible countries. The inaugural administration of the CHT examination in Australia occurred in 2003. There are now 28 CHTs in Australia and five in New Zealand. In preparation for administering the first examination, an Australian CHT was invited to participate with the examination committee in constructing the test. In 2004, a committee of CHTs in Australia reviewed the draft examination. This helps to assure that the questions are appropriate and that terminology used is not confusing. The commission has worked with a local steering committee with representatives throughout Australia to assist in notifying local therapists about the examination and helping them to prepare for it. At their November 2004 meeting in Perth, the Australian Hand Therapy Association approved a new membership structure that would allow therapists to use the CHT credential to meet membership requirements (the other methods include a master’s degree in an upper limb program or 300 hours of professional education with in the last five years). HTCC appreciates the support and interest shown by the Australian and New Zealand therapists, and the Australian Hand Therapy Association. Therapists from a number of countries continue to express an interest in the CHT credential. To meet this need, HTCC has designed an International Practice Analysis, which is linked
from the homepage of the HTCC Web site (www.htcc.org). The purpose of this survey is to collect data about practice in countries where the CHT examination is not currently being offered. This will allow HTCC to assess the similarity of practice with the other countries that have completed a practice analysis previously, as well as to conduct ongoing scientific study of hand therapy practice throughout the world. We encourage therapists in the international hand therapy community to complete the survey. If sufficient responses are received from an individual country, HTCC will analyze the data. If a practice is found to be similar, there would be discussion with the hand therapy association in that country to investigate their interest in pursuing the credential. HTCC has learned some important lessons through our experience with Australia and New Zealand: 1. Working closely with a local steering committee from the hand therapy association is essential to success. Identifying therapists in the country who can communicate with their colleagues ensures that accurate information will be disseminated. They can also facilitate local study groups and assist in preparation. Having the support of the country’s hand therapy asso-
ciation is critical to acceptance of the credential. 2. It takes time to develop. Once a country decides that it wishes to offer the test, a minimum of two years is required to work through all the details of notifying therapists, helping them prepare, and establishing a test site. 3. The country must feel that it is also their credential. Although HTCC maintains ownership of the examination, it must have credibility and value in the testing country to be accepted. HTCC will always seek input from local therapists on the appropriate content of test questions, advertising the availability of the examination to eligible therapists, and helping to market the value of the credential to the health care community and public. As practice data are collected internationally and the number of countries offering the test expands, the CHT credential may become the international standard in hand therapy. HTCC will continue to study practice in the countries that currently offer the examination as well as in other countries that are interested in offering it to assure relevance of the test to practice. Please contact HTCC at [email protected] or visit our Web site at www.htcc.org if you have any questions or would like additional information.
January–March 2005
47
The International CHT Credential The HTCC is continually contemporizing its product to reflect the changing needs of the hand therapy community. It is appropriate that in this 5th International Issue the HTCC should report on its investigation into expanding the CHT credential to additional countries around the world—PEGGY FILLION, OTR, CHT, Practice Forum Editor
THE INTERNATIONAL CHT CREDENTIAL Mary C. Kasch, OTR/L, CHT Brenda Hilfrank, PT, CHT International Standards Committee Hand Therapy Certification Commission In 2001, the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) conducted its third Practice Analysis of Hand Therapy. One of the goals of this study to was assess hand therapy in countries other than the United States and Canada, where the test has been administered since 1991. One reason for this interest was in response to inquiries from representatives from a number of countries regarding the feasibility of an international credential. In addition, some Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) who were credentialed while residing in the United States or Canada now live and work in other countries. Because HTCC had not studied practice in other countries prior to 2001, those therapists were unable to renew their credential using work hours obtained outside the United States and Canada. The commission determined that studying three additional countries—Great Britain, Australia, and South Africa—would provide meaningful information that could be used for a variety of purposes. Unfortunately, the results from South Africa could not be analyzed as the forms were lost due to heightened security following the September 11th attacks in New York City. However, based on the results from Australia and Great Britain, it was determined that hand therapy practice in those countries was similar to that of the United States and Canada. Contact was made with those countries to determine their interest in offering the credential. Additionally,
doi:10.1197/j.jht.2004.11.003
46
JOURNAL OF HAND THERAPY
HTCC began to accept work hours from Australia and Great Britain towards the eligibility requirements for CHT Certification and Recertification. The British Hand Therapy Association has developed its own credentialing system and did not wish to sponsor the CHT examination. However, a number of therapists in Australia were enthused about proceeding, and a local steering committee was established. Based on the ‘‘Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act,’’ which establishes practice reciprocity between New Zealand and Australia, the HTCC Board of Directors also added New Zealand to the list of eligible countries. The inaugural administration of the CHT examination in Australia occurred in 2003. There are now 28 CHTs in Australia and five in New Zealand. In preparation for administering the first examination, an Australian CHT was invited to participate with the examination committee in constructing the test. In 2004, a committee of CHTs in Australia reviewed the draft examination. This helps to assure that the questions are appropriate and that terminology used is not confusing. The commission has worked with a local steering committee with representatives throughout Australia to assist in notifying local therapists about the examination and helping them to prepare for it. At their November 2004 meeting in Perth, the Australian Hand Therapy Association approved a new membership structure that would allow therapists to use the CHT credential to meet membership requirements (the other methods include a master’s degree in an upper limb program or 300 hours of professional education with in the last five years). HTCC appreciates the support and interest shown by the Australian and New Zealand therapists, and the Australian Hand Therapy Association. Therapists from a number of countries continue to express an interest in the CHT credential. To meet this need, HTCC has designed an International Practice Analysis, which is linked
from the homepage of the HTCC Web site (www.htcc.org). The purpose of this survey is to collect data about practice in countries where the CHT examination is not currently being offered. This will allow HTCC to assess the similarity of practice with the other countries that have completed a practice analysis previously, as well as to conduct ongoing scientific study of hand therapy practice throughout the world. We encourage therapists in the international hand therapy community to complete the survey. If sufficient responses are received from an individual country, HTCC will analyze the data. If a practice is found to be similar, there would be discussion with the hand therapy association in that country to investigate their interest in pursuing the credential. HTCC has learned some important lessons through our experience with Australia and New Zealand: 1. Working closely with a local steering committee from the hand therapy association is essential to success. Identifying therapists in the country who can communicate with their colleagues ensures that accurate information will be disseminated. They can also facilitate local study groups and assist in preparation. Having the support of the country’s hand therapy asso-
ciation is critical to acceptance of the credential. 2. It takes time to develop. Once a country decides that it wishes to offer the test, a minimum of two years is required to work through all the details of notifying therapists, helping them prepare, and establishing a test site. 3. The country must feel that it is also their credential. Although HTCC maintains ownership of the examination, it must have credibility and value in the testing country to be accepted. HTCC will always seek input from local therapists on the appropriate content of test questions, advertising the availability of the examination to eligible therapists, and helping to market the value of the credential to the health care community and public. As practice data are collected internationally and the number of countries offering the test expands, the CHT credential may become the international standard in hand therapy. HTCC will continue to study practice in the countries that currently offer the examination as well as in other countries that are interested in offering it to assure relevance of the test to practice. Please contact HTCC at [email protected] or visit our Web site at www.htcc.org if you have any questions or would like additional information.
January–March 2005
47