Miranda and Josh talk about hiring a new therapist and share their approach to growing a team. They discuss what they consider during the hiring process, what they have learned over the years, and how they think about finding the right fit for their practice.

Hiring a new therapist 

Miranda and Josh discuss the growing role of AI in the hand therapy space—from patients using AI to better understand their diagnosis and home exercises to therapists using it as a tool for treatment planning, clinical reasoning, and differential diagnosis.

They explore the benefits, limitations, and important considerations for using AI responsibly in clinical practice, and how it may continue to shape the future of hand therapy.

AI in the Hand Therapy Space

Miranda and Josh reflect on the lessons they’ve learned as content creators while stepping into the world of online education. They discuss the challenges of learning how to teach in a new format, creating engaging educational content, adapting along the way, and what they’ve learned from building an online education platform from the ground up.

Lesson we have learned as content creators

Miranda and Josh discuss collateral ligament injuries, including how they commonly occur, the signs and symptoms therapists should look for, and the clinical implications for evaluation, treatment, and recovery.

PIP Joint Collateral Ligaments 

Miranda and Josh discuss a recent study comparing relative motion orthosis (RMO) splinting with MCP blocking orthoses for the treatment of trigger finger, including the findings and what they may mean for clinical practice.

RMO Splinting for Trigger Finger 

Miranda and Josh discuss a newly released article on Dupuytren’s disease and what the findings may mean for hand therapists. They break down the key takeaways, clinical implications, and how the information may influence evaluation, treatment, and patient education.

New Article on Dupuytren's Disease 

Miranda and Josh talk about the role of practice tests when preparing for the CHT exam. They discuss why practice tests are important, how many you should consider taking, how to use your scores to identify weak areas, and why reviewing the questions you miss can be just as valuable as taking the test itself.

Practice Tests for CHT Prep 

Miranda and Josh talk about receiving gifts from patients—from homemade treats and food to more expensive items—and the boundaries that come with accepting them. They discuss how they decide what feels appropriate, where they personally draw the line, and some of the awkward situations that can come up when a patient wants to show their appreciation.

Gift Receiving from Patients

Miranda and Josh share the story behind Hand Therapy Academy and reflect on the journey as HTA approaches its 10-year anniversary. They talk about how it all started, how the business and community have grown over the years, lessons they have learned along the way, and what continues to motivate them to create practical education and resources for hand therapists.

10 Years: The Story Behind HTA 

Miranda and Josh discuss splinting options for ulnar drift, including different orthotic approaches, clinical considerations, and common pitfalls to avoid when selecting and fitting an orthosis.

Ulnar Drift Splinting Options 

Miranda  Materi (@mmateri) · Zencastr

Miranda  Materi (@mmateri)

We offer quick tidbits of information relating to all things Hand Therapy.  So if you are a hand therapist or an aspiring hand therapist this is the podcast for you.  For more great content check our www.handtherapyacademy.com or email info@handtherpyaacademy.com 