Question 1

About Core Faculty

Accepted Answer

The fellowship curriculum is intentionally designed and delivered by a core faculty member to ensure continuity across all modules. This structure allows foundational concepts to be consistently revisited, expanded, and applied as clinical complexity increases.

Rather than isolated topic-based instruction, learners are guided to recognize patterns, synthesize information across anatomical regions and pathologies, and apply biomechanical and physiological principles to clinical decision-making. This continuity in instructional methods and clinical messaging supports the development of advanced clinical reasoning and promotes transfer of knowledge into practice.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                        Mirella Deisher, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CHT

Question 2

How do I know which curriculum is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Virtual Hand Therapy Fellowship
Specialization in upper limb and hand therapy. Designed for occupational and physical therapists seeking a structured pathway to specialization in the upper limb and hand. New graduates are welcomed and encouraged to enroll.

CHT Exam Prep
For clinicians preparing for the Certified Hand Therapist exam. You have already met the HTCC eligibility requirements:
A minimum of 4,000 hours of direct clinical practice in hand therapy, and
At least 3 years of experience as a licensed OT or PT.
This track is intended for clinicians who already have an advanced-level knowledge base.

Intro to Hand Therapy
For clinicians exploring or transitioning into hand therapy. Ideal for therapists who:
Are new to hand therapy and want to build a solid foundation, or
Seek to broaden their skills for managing common hand and upper limb diagnoses.
Level II fieldwork students are welcomed to enroll to support and enrich their fieldwork experience.

New Hire Primer
For entry-level OTs and PTs entering or transitioning into hand therapy, as well as Level II fieldwork students to support safe transition into hand therapy practice setting.
Develop foundational understanding of upper limb structure, motion, and tissue healing principles
Begin connecting foundational knowledge to clinical reasoning and patient presentation
Access practical onboarding resources designed to support early evaluation readiness and transition into practice

Individual Courses
Flexible continuing education by topic. Choose from our extensive library of individual courses to:
Earn contact hours to maintain licensure, and
Target specific areas of need or interest in your professional development.
Courses are suitable for clinicians at various stages of their hand therapy learning pathway.

If you are still unsure which option is the best fit for your background and goals, you are welcome to register for an information session or contact VHSF directly for guidance at info@virtualhandfellowship.com

Question 3

What is the cost of the curriculums offered by VHSF?

Accepted Answer

The tuitions  are indicated on the enrollments link for each program:
Fellowship
CHT Exam Prep
Intro to Hand Therapy
The cost for our extensive library of  individual courses are listed in the Course Library

Question 4

What can I expect for each week of the virtual hand therapy fellowship?

Accepted Answer

You can expect to spend approximately three hours per week on the fellowship. This typically includes time to complete one lecture and one case-based module, and, if you choose, you may also participate in mentorship activities.

If your goal is to sit for the CHT exam at or after the end of the fellowship, you should plan on additional independent study time beyond the weekly fellowship commitment. We will meet with you individually to review exam readiness and to help you develop a study plan if this is your goal.

The fellowship is intentionally designed for busy working clinicians, and most of our participants maintain a full clinical caseload while enrolled. You can generally plan to devote about 3 hours per week to fellowship activities.

If you need extended time beyond your one-year enrollment, you may add additional access of up to 18 months through an extension enrollment. The current extension fee is $75 per month (subject to change).

Question 5

What are the outcomes for the virtual hand therapy fellowship?

Accepted Answer

Upon completion of the Virtual Hand Therapy Fellowship, fellows will be able to:
Perform advanced occupation-based evaluation and clinical reasoning for complex upper extremity and hand conditions by integrating anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, and functional performance.
Synthesize examination findings to develop accurate diagnoses, prognoses, and management plans for a broad range of upper quarter pathologies.
Select, perform, and interpret specialized tests and measures of the upper extremity, including identification of red flags requiring referral to another healthcare professional.
Apply differential diagnosis principles to distinguish between musculoskeletal, neurologic, systemic, and psychosocial contributors to upper extremity dysfunction.
Design and justify evidence-informed intervention plans, including preparatory and occupation-based approaches aligned with patient goals and clinical findings.
Demonstrate expert-level clinical reasoning, including diagnostic, narrative, and procedural reasoning, across increasingly complex clinical scenarios.
Integrate biopsychosocial and disablement models into evaluation, intervention, and outcome assessment.
Critically analyze and apply research and clinical literature to inform practice, professional dialogue, and interdisciplinary collaboration, through scholarly or practice-based contributions (e.g., case analysis, written synthesis, or educational content).
Utilize professional standards, practice guidelines, and ethical frameworks to support advanced clinical practice and professional development.
Bridge foundational knowledge and clinical application, transitioning from generalist practice toward specialist-level thinking in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Scholarly and practice-based contributions may take multiple formats, including case studies, written syntheses, or educational content.

Question 6

Course Completion Requirements

Accepted Answer

Fellowship:
Completion of online course content
Completion of quizzes and exams
Completion of the curriculum, quizzes, exams, and final project.
Survey completion

All other courses:
Completion of online course content
Completion of quizzes 
Survey completion

If you have difficulty obtaining your certificate, contact us at info@virtualhandfellowship.com

Question 7

Will we get CEUs?

Accepted Answer

Accreditation and CEUs
Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of continuing education. All curricula listed below are AOTA approved:
Virtual Hand Therapy Fellowship Awards 21.7 CEUs upon completion.
CHT Exam Prep Awards 5.2 CEUs upon completion.
Intro to Hand Therapy Awards 3.0 CEUs upon completion.

AOTA-Approved Live Weekend Intensives
Our live weekend courses are separate enrollments that are also AOTA-approved and offer additional continuing education credit hours.
Standard location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, USA

These live weekends are designed to complement the virtual curricula with immersive, hands-on learning.

Question 8

Do you accept international students?

Accepted Answer

Yes. International applicants are welcome, provided they meet all requirements to practice as a physical or occupational therapist in their home country. Please note that the course is delivered exclusively in English.

Question 9

Accessibility & Cancellation Policy

Accepted Answer

Accessibility Accommodations
This program is delivered virtually using PowerPoint presentations and audio. Live sessions are conducted via Zoom, where closed captioning is available if enabled by the participant.

If you require disability-related or other accessibility accommodations to improve access to course content or live sessions, please contact:
Mirella Deisher
info@virtualhandfellowship.com

We encourage participants to contact us as early as possible so that we can make reasonable efforts to implement appropriate accommodations in a timely manner.

Cancellation & Refund Policy
All sales are final. We do not offer refunds for digital products, online courses, subscriptions, or bundles once access has been granted.
You may cancel a subscription at any time. Cancellation will stop future recurring billing at the end of the current billing period but will not result in a refund of fees already paid.
In exceptional circumstances, VHSF may, at its sole discretion, approve VHSF course credit, or alternative accommodation. 
By enrolling in a course, purchasing a bundle, or subscribing to a program, you acknowledge and agree to this Cancellation & Refund Policy.
If the provider cancels the course, enrollments will be fully refunded.

Question 10

How do I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

A subscription can be canceled at any time, but refunds are not provided once access to course content has been granted.

To end the subscription, from My Account > Billing, click Cancel for that subscription.

If you have difficulty, this resource may help guide you:

https://support.thinkific.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030357654-How-can-students-manage-their-billing-and-credit-card-information

Question 11

Do I need special equipment?

Accepted Answer

Instruction is delivered online  asynchronously, with an active discussion board. Participants may access all course content on desktop or laptop computers, or on mobile devices using the mobile application.

You need to have access to a smart device with internet connection or a computer with video and audio capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions