The Scoliosis Online Master Course
Isico introduced in 2016 a yearly distance-learning course that is available to students worldwide. The programme was designed to provide professionals with specialised training in the Principles and Practice of Scoliosis Conservative Treatment (PPSCT), taught by a faculty comprised of some of the world's foremost authorities in the area today. In planning the course, we drew on the decade of experience we had acquired through our residential Master course.
The past editions were a huge success and saw participants from all five continents engaged in a continuous, productive, and interesting learning process.
Isico is eager to share with course participants its vast clinical and scientific knowledge in the hopes that this will enhance the accessibility of high-quality conservative treatments with a high success rate on a global scale.
During the course, the Isico experts explain their treatment protocols and strategies in a practical manner through the discussion of clinical cases. Still, participants are also given a general overview of the primary treatment methods that have been shown to be effective by the top medical professionals throughout the world.
View Stefano Negrini's final Live lecture of the 2018 to gain a general idea of the course subjects.
Course organization
The PPSCT course is delivered entirely online and can be self-managed through a dedicated online learning platform. It is divided into 16 modules, each lasting two or three weeks, and self-administered. Three 45-minute recorded theoretical lectures are usually included in a single module, which participants can listen to whenever they would like. To finish the module, two or three scientific publications are recommended to be read by the lecturer.
Additionally, the module contains Discussion Group sessions that concentrate on particular facets of the subject matter covered. The goals of these classes are to boost student involvement and enhance the educational experience. It is required of the participants to justify their viewpoints and provide relevant references to back up those positions.
A coordinator leads an Online live session at the conclusion of each module, during which clinical cases chosen in accordance with the themes covered in the module and discussion group sessions are presented.The 60-minute Live sessions (one every two or three weeks) are the only components of the course that require participants to be online at a set time and date.
The 60-minute Live sessions (one every two or three weeks) are the only components of the course that require participants to be online in real time at a specific date/time.
Follow this link for the program of the edition 2024
Educational goals
- To achieve the ability to provide good-quality care over time to patients affected by spinal deformities, especially children and adolescents
- To grasp the theoretical basis of such care
- To learn the ISICO approach to patient assessment and the treatment decision process
- To gain a solid basic understanding of the main current treatment techniques
- To become familiar with conservative treatments, particularly SEAS (exercises) and SPoRT (braces), and when and how to prescribe them.
Topics
The PPSCT course focuses on scoliosis at all ages (mainly idiopathic, although it also provides insight into secondary scoliosis) and examines the following topics:
- Etiopathogenesis
- Classification
- Assessment
- Therapeutic choices
- Conservative treatment (exercises, braces)
- Basic notions of surgery
- X-ray measurements and related concerns
- Screening
- Why scoliosis has to be treated
- Clinical measurements and measurement errors
- Sport and scoliosis
- Posture and scoliosis
- How to manage aesthetics
- Compliance to treatment
- The therapeutic team
- The role of psychology in bracing
Qualifications for the Course
Even though the PPSCT course was originally designed for physicians to address their need for a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the art in the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis, its content may also be of interest to other professionals involved in the treatment of this condition. Thus, applications from physiotherapists, orthotists, PhD candidates, and other professionals are also welcome. The various learning activities are predicated on the knowledge that course participants have a background in medicine, which all applicants must be aware of.
The way the course is graded is by active participation in the discussion groups and live sessions; points are awarded according to this system. A minimum number of points must be obtained in order to receive at least the Attendance-Certificate.
Reaching this threshold entitles to participate in the final PPSCT examination. A careful evaluation of the work carried out during the course and the results of the final exam will determine the participants' final grade.
Important note
A computer (Mac/PC) or tablet (Android/Mac) and a stable internet connection are required to access the eLearning content and virtual live sessions.
