Treatment of Progressive Neurological Disorders and Conditions Online CME Course

Jennifer Bergstrom, Ed.D., M.S., O.T., BCPR; Heather Ducharme P.T., D.P.T., GCS; and Rene Utianski, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS.

This course provides healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of multidisciplinary strategies for the care and management of patients with progressive neurologic diseases. By integrating insights from a PM&R APP and a neurologist, participants will first explore the critical components of diagnostic delivery, patient and caregiver support, coping strategies, and access to essential resources, including palliative care. The course is uniquely designed to also address the continuum of care through the lens of each therapy discipline, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, bridging the outpatient and inpatient settings.
Neurologic diseases often require complex, coordinated care that spans multiple disciplines and stages of disease progression. Patients and families navigating these conditions face significant physical, emotional, and social challenges. This course equips healthcare providers with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance patient outcomes by providing tailored, multidisciplinary interventions. Addressing both the preventative and acute needs of patients, the course emphasizes a holistic, patient-centered approach that considers the entire care journey—from early diagnosis to end-stage management.

Target Audience

This course is designed for speech therapists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, physicians, nurse practitioners, and therapy students.

Learning Objectives

Utilization of this Mayo Clinic online (enduring materials) course does not indicate nor guarantee competence or proficiency in the performance of any procedures which may be in this course.

  • Discuss education strategies involved with diagnostic delivery and accommodating patient and caregiver/family responses.
  • Discuss communication strategies to optimize and support patient and caregiver/family coping throughout journey with progressive neurological conditions
  • Describe treatment strategies to optimize function and quality of life from a preventative, restorative, and/or compensatory lens for patients with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Describe treatment strategies to optimize function and safety in the setting of acute exacerbation in patients with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Identify intervention techniques and strategies to optimize participation in meaningful occupations and enhance quality of life from a preventative, restorative, and or/compensatory lens with patients with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Recognize intervention strategies to optimize participation in meaningful occupations and promote safety in the setting of acute exacerbation in patients with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Describe communication and swallowing strategies to optimize function and quality of life from a preventative, restorative, and/or compensatory lens for patients with progressive neurological conditions.
  • Describe communication and swallowing strategies to optimize function and safety in the setting of acute hospitalization in patients with progressive neurological conditions.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.20 ASHA
  • 3.00 Attendance
  • 3.00 AOTA Contact Hours
  • 3.00 PT
Course opens: 
10/27/2025
Course expires: 
11/27/2025

All travel and lodging expenses are the sole responsibility of the individual registrant.

Mayo Faculty
Katrina Hacker, APRN, CNS, M.S.
Lauren Jackson, M.D
Rachel M. Svendson, P.T., D.P.T., NCS
Hanna Honn, P.T., D.P.T.
Angelica R. Gicalone, O.T., O.T.D.
Danielle Anshus, O.T., O.T.D.
Meaghan Leighton, M.S., O.T.
Mallory L. Riggs, M.S., CCC-SLP
Kiersten Pope, M.S., CCC-SLP

Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Statement(s):

Physical therapy credit
Sponsored by the Program in Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic. This course meets the criteria for up to 3.00 category I Continuing Education Units per Minnesota Physical Therapy Rules 5601.2400, 5601.2500.

Occupational therapy credit
Mayo Clinic - Rochester Campus is an approved provider of continuing education by the American Occupational Therapy Association #5660. PD Activity Approval number: 12663. This distance learning, interactive PD Activity is offered at up to 0.3 AOTA CEUs, educational level; introductory level. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. At the conclusion of this distance learning, interactive activity, participants will be awarded a certificate for up to 3.0 contact hours or 0.3 AOTA CEUs.

Speech language pathologist credit
At the conclusion of this conference, participants will be awarded a certificate for up to 2.00 contact hours or 0.20 ASHA CEUs.

General credit
At the conclusion of this conference, PT and OT participants will be awarded a certificate for up to 3.00 contact hours maximum based on actual contact hours. Please see your state specific requirements for licensure credits.

For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s) and staff, please go here to review disclosures.

Available Credit

  • 0.20 ASHA
  • 3.00 Attendance
  • 3.00 AOTA Contact Hours
  • 3.00 PT
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Commitment to Belonging and Inclusion

Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (MCSCPD) strives to foster a learning environment in which all individuals are valued, allowing all to achieve their fullest potential.

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