
Chronic rotator cuff-related shoulder pain often leaves patients and clinicians uncertain about whether exercise should provoke pain or avoid it entirely. This 15-minute (.25 CEU) evidence-based microlearning course unpacks findings from a pivotal 2024 randomized controlled trial, offering clear, immediately applicable guidance for designing effective rehab protocols—without the confusion or controversy. Through a real-world clinical scenario, concise research synthesis, and actionable strategies, PTs and PTAs will gain confidence in progressing shoulder rehabilitation without relying on painful movement. Learn to track outcomes, educate patients, and shift outdated paradigms using tools like the SPADI and practical pain education techniques—all grounded in current evidence.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, clinicians will be able to:
- Describe current evidence for exercise programs in chronic RCRSP and pain monitoring rationale.
- Apply the SPADI, pain intensity scales, and ROM strength measures to document patient progress.
- Design and adapt progressive rehabilitation protocols without enforcing pain thresholds.
This course meets all requirements for CEU credit set forth by the Alabama Board of Physical therapy. Alabama does not require course or course provider approval, and each licensee is responsible for determining if CE activity qualifies for credit based upon the rules set forth in the Alabama Physical Therapy Practice Act and Administrative Code.
Are your courses approved for CEU credit?
Each course is designed to meet general continuing education requirements, and MasteryPathways.org continues to seek state board approval for all courses. Currently all courses meet the CEU credit requirements in the following states:
- Alabama
How long do the courses take to complete?
Courses vary in length, but have been intentionally designed to be completed within the specified timeframe for each course. The vast majority of courses listed on the MasteryPathways.org site can be finished in 15 (.25 CEU) or 30 (.5 CEU) minutes, 1.0 hour (1.0 CEU), or 2.0 Hours (2.0 CEU).
Can I complete the course on my own schedule?
Absolutely! All MasteryPathways.org courses are intentionally designed to meet the needs of today’s adult learners, and we recognize that even finishing a one or two hour course in one sitting can often be a challenge, if not impossible. Our courses can be started, stopped and resumed at any time, with no saving or loss of previous work.
Can I stop a course and resume it later?
Yes, all of our courses can be started, stopped and resumed at the user’s discretion without the need for saving, loss of completed work, or bookmarking. Simply log off when you need to stop. When you are ready to resume, login to your account, visit your dashboard, and click the resume button, and you will be taken to the exact spot in the course where your progress stopped.
Is there an assessment or quiz at the end?
Yes, to comply with the CEU approval process in most states, an assessment of whether the learner accomplished the course objectives is required. In some cases these assessments can be built in interactively to the course, in other cases a post-course quiz is required.
Can I retake the course quiz if I don’t achieve a 75%?
Yes, there are unlimited attempts for course quizzes.
Do you provide a certificate for completed courses?
Yes. When the course requirements are met, inluding completing a short post course survey and any required assessments, a complete record of the CEU credit earned is provided in certificate form. Certificates have been designed to meet the expectations of most course approving boards or agencies.
How long will I have access to the course after enrolling?
You’ll have 90 days from the date of enrollment to complete the course and earn your certificate. After completion, you’ll retain read-only access to the course materials for 12 months, so you can review key content or re-download any resources. Your certificate will remain available in your account for future reference or license audits.
T-Michael Dougherty, PTA, MPA, Ed.D.
Dr. T-Michael Dougherty, PTA, MPA, Ed.D. is a licensed physical therapist assistant, healthcare educator, and policy leader with over two decades of clinical, administrative, and academic experience. He is the founding Program Director of a Physical Therapist Assistant program and the Founder and CEO of MasteryPathways.org, a continuing education platform focused on delivering evidence-based,technology-driven CEU and professional development courses for healthcare professionals. His work emphasizes learning science, instructional technology, and the application of contemporary instructional strategies in clinical and nonclinical training environments. Dr. Dougherty holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management), a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a focus on Instructional Technology. His original research and ongoing scholarship efforts explore the intersections of leadership, artificial intelligence, microlearning and digital learning applications, as well as clinician mindset and resiliency, professional autonomy, and leadership development in healthcare. Clinically, Dr. Dougherty has extensive training and experience in manual therapy of the spine, vestibular rehabilitation, and post operative orthopedic care, with service across outpatient, acute, and long-term care settings. Administratively, he has directed rehabilitation departments and served as a leader in state-level health policy formulation and implementation. With prior experience as a consultant to the Alabama Medicaid Agency and Senior Services of Alabama, Dr. Dougherty currently serves as Chair of the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy and is a former board member of the Alabama Physical Therapy Association. His policy work has included shaping direct access legislation, implementing the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, modernizing CEU requirements in Alabama and defending provider autonomy within a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Dr. Dougherty is a vocal advocate for clinician leadership, student empowerment, and the integration of purpose, mindset, and evidence into every stage of professional development. His work continues to influence how healthcare professionals learn, lead, and adapt in a complex practice environment.