Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity - Diagnosis to Treatment
Comprehensive overview of scoliosis and spinal deformity.
A comprehensive overview of scoliosis and spinal deformity from "A to Z." Topics covered include spinal anatomy, scoliosis in children and adults, radiographic and other imaging, curve measurement and classification, nonsurgical and surgical treatment, and postoperative care.
Release Date: June 01, 2010Expiration Date: May 31, 2011
Faculty
- Nicola Hawkinson, RN, RNFA, NP About

Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
NYU - Hospital for Joint Diseases
New York, NY USA
Nicola is an Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner working in collaboration with Dr. Frank Schwab at New York University's Hospital for Joint Diseases, where she cares for patients with spinal deformities. Nursing education is an important part of Nicola's work. As an Adjunct Clinical Professor, Nicola teaches physical assessment to registered nurses enrolled in NYU's master's program for Adult Nurse Practitioners. Read More
Target Audience
This online continuing education program is intended for nurses and allied health professionals involved in caring for scoliosis patients.
Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to:
- Discuss basic spinal anatomy and its relationship to scoliosis
- Provide information about different types of scoliosis and possible causes
- Explain key diagnostic tests and methods related to curve assessment
- Identify nonoperative and age-specific treatment and goals
- Describe the history and advances of scoliosis surgery, including current approaches and procedures
- Summarize pre-operative imaging, tests and surgical risks
- Improve postoperative care of scoliosis patients
Course Completion Time
Based upon trials, the estimated time to complete this program is 1 hour.
Sponsorship
This activity is sponsored by Medical Education Resources Inc., a non-profit medical education company. SpineUniverse, a Vertical Health, LLC company was selected to manage program logistics.
Educational Grant
This program is made possible by a restricted educational grant from DePuy Spine, Inc., a Johnson and Johnson Company.

Accreditation Statement
Medical Education Resources is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
This CE activity provides 1.0 contact hours. Provider approval expires July 31, 2010.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP 12299, for 1.0 contact hours.
Credit Designation
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP 12299, for 1.0 contact hours.
Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of Medical Education Resources (MER) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities. All faculty/ authors participating in our programs are expected to disclose any relationships they may have with commercial companies whose products or services may be mentioned so that participants may evaluate the objectivity of the presentations.
Faculty Disclosure
In accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ACCME guidelines, the financial and significant relationships to this program are listed below.
Nicola Hawkinson, RN, RNFA, NP has indicated the following relevant financial relationships: Consultant/Stock/Shareholder: SpineSearch, LLC
Staff Disclosure
Jeremy Longhurst
No items to disclose.
Susan Spinisanta
No items to disclose.
Peer Reviewer Disclosure
Disclaimer
The content and views presented in this educational program are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Education Resources or DePuy Spine. Before prescribing any treatment, primary references and full prescribing information should be consulted.
Off-Label/Investigational Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Before prescribing any treatment, physicians should consult primary references and full treatment information. The faculty presenters will disclose if any unlabeled use of products is mentioned in their presentations. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings. Further, participants should appraise the information presented critically and are encouraged to consult appropriate resources for any product or device mentioned in this program.
Software Requirements
- PC
- Microsoft Windows 2000 SE or above.
- Internet Explorer (v6 or greater), or Firefox
- Adobe Flash Player (v8 or greater)
- MAC
- MAC OS 10.2.8
- Safari or Firefox (Internet Explorer is not supported on the Macintosh)
- Adobe Flash Player (v8 or greater)
Register to begin receiving CME/CE credit and be notified of upcoming spine meetings and online courses.

