Foundational Concepts in Clinical Reasoning

AN 8-WEEK MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

REGISTRATION DATES + DETAILS

A patient presents with low back pain.

It’s diffuse. The story feels unclear.
You’re not sure where to start.

You start assessing. You add a few extra tests because you need to know more. You explain the best you can. The patient leaves. Later, questions linger: What did those findings really tell me? Did I miss something? Where do I go next?

Now imagine the same patient — with a framework guiding your reasoning.

You ask questions with intention — their answers guide your thinking. Each test has a purpose. The assessment is focused — not a checklist, but organized and intentional. You move forward with a clear plan. You know exactly where session two begins.

Foundational Concepts in Clinical Reasoning is a structured, mentorship-based program that develops this process step by step, week by week — supporting more organized, intentional decision-making in everyday practice.

What Clinicians Say

"Before working with Meghan, my mind felt scattered. I would do multiple courses at once, watch physio videos, and listen to podcasts, hoping something would 'click.' But I kept running into the same problems: struggling with clinical reasoning, not knowing how to build effective treatment plans for complex cases.

Learning a structured clinical reasoning process with Meghan changed everything. I don't panic when a case is complex anymore. My focus changed from 'what can I do for this client?' to 'what does this client need to reach their goals?' I'm more confident, more engaged, and I'm seeing better outcomes."

— Taha B, Physiotherapist

Why this program exists

Many physiotherapists feel that building their practice means accumulating techniques and tools, yet are rarely taught how to organize decisions in complex, real-world cases.

Over time, the challenge becomes less about learning what to do and more about deciding when, why, and how to apply what is already known. Without an organized approach to clinical reasoning, decision-making can feel effortful, uncertain, and mentally fatiguing, even for capable and motivated clinicians.

This program exists to support clinicians in developing structure around how they think through cases, bringing clarity and direction to everyday clinical decisions and supporting professional growth over time.

What this program focuses on

Organizing clinical reasoning in everyday practice

Emphasis is placed on how clinicians interpret information, prioritize what matters most, and navigate complex or uncertain cases with greater clarity.
Integrating skills, evidence, + patient context

The program supports thoughtful integration of existing skills and research evidence within real-world clinical contexts, rather than adding new techniques.
Developing clarity through reflection + mentorship

Clinical reasoning is strengthened through guided reflection, discussion, and mentorship that supports learning over time, not just performance in the moment.

What changes over eight weeks

Over the course of eight weeks, participants often notice a shift in how they approach clinical thinking and decision-making more than merely what they do. Decision-making becomes more intentional and less reactive, with greater clarity about why certain paths are chosen and when to adjust or pause. As clinical thinking becomes more organized, uncertainty becomes easier to navigate, mental load is reduced, and clinicians often experience greater confidence—not because they have more answers, but because they trust the process they use to arrive at them.

Course curriculum

1. Intro to the Resource Library + PRE-COURSE Challenge
1. 0.2 Navigating the course player
1. 1.1 Introduction
2. 1.2 Clinical Reasoning: Models, frameworks and concepts
3. 1.2 - Part 1 | What is Clinical Reasoning?
4. 1.2 - Part 2 | Models + Frameworks
5. 1.2 - Part 3 | Sources of Error
6. 1.2 - Part 4 | Supporting your development
7. 1.3 Exploring the elements of clinical decision making
8. 1.3 - Part 1 | Knowledge + Skills
9. 1.3 - Part 2 | Clinician Experience
10. 1.3 - Part 3 | The Patient Narrative
11. 1.4 Understanding the evidence for clinical application
12. 1.4 - Part 1 | Evidence-Informed Practice
13. 1.4 - Part 2 | Reliability, Validity and Detecting Change
14. 1.4 - Part 3 | Levels of Evidence + Study Design
15. QUIZ | Applying the evidence to clinical practice
16. 1.5 Advancing our clinical reasoning | The role for deliberate practice in expertise
17. 1.5 - Part 1 | Deliberate Practice
18. 1.5 - Part 2 | Critical Thinking
19. 1.5 - Part 3 | Reflective Practice
20. 1.5 - Part 4 | Mentorship
21. 1.5 - Part 5 | Expertise
22. ACTIVITY | Components of Clinical Reasoning
23. OPTIONAL | EBP debate at Physiotherapy UK 2015
1. Meet one of our Guest Instructors | Kerri Swartz
2. 2.1 Introduction
3. 2.2 The Patient Interview
4. 2.2 - Part 1 | Subjective History
5. 2.3 Understanding the patient narrative
6. 2.3 - Part 1 | Communication
7. 2.3 - Part 2 | Patient Autonomy
8. 2.3 - Part 3 | Motivational Interviewing
9. Optional activity: 'A lesson in empathy'
10. 2.4 Goal Setting + Participation
11. 2.4 - Part 1 | ICF Model
12. 2.4 - Part 2 | Rehabilitation Problem Solving Form (RPS-Form)
13. 2.4 - Part 3 | Goal Setting
14. 2.5 Mapping the pain experience
15. 2.5 - Part 1 | Types of pain
16. 2.5 - Part 2 | The radar plot
17. 2.5 - Part 3 | Domains + Pain drivers
18. 2.6 Screening: Flags, contraindications and risk factors - Intro
19. 2.6 - Part 1 | Red Flags
20. 2.6 - Part 2 | Yellow Flags
21. 2.6 - Part 3 | Work considerations
22. 2.6 - Part 4 | Contraindications + Risk factors
23. ACTIVITY | Radar Plot
24. ACTIVITY | Goal setting
25. ACTIVITY | Quick Reflection
1. 3.1 Introduction
2. 3.2 Developing a clinical hypothesis
3. 3.2 - Part 1 | Biases + Assumptions
4. 3.2 - Part 2 | Generating from the problem list
5. 3.3 Hypothesis categories
6. 3.3 - Part 1 | The person
7. 3.3 - Part 2 | The pathology
8. 3.3 - Part 3 | The plan + prognosis
9. 3.4 Interpreting the information: The role of prediction rules
10. 3.4 - Part 1 | What are Clinical Prediction Rules?
11. 3.4 - Part 2 | Applying CPRs
12. 3.5 When to refer: Identifying flags and utilizing a team-based approach
13. ACTIVITY | Complete the Anatomy Star
14. ACTIVITY | Generate a problem list + your hypotheses
1. 4.1 Introduction
2. 4.2 Organizing the clinical exam + creating the exam strategy
3. ACTIVITY | RPS Form
4. ARTICLE | Applying ICF + RPS Form
5. 4.3 Applying the evidence: Clusters and diagnostic validity
6. 4.3 - Part 1 | Review of key concepts
7. 4.3 - Part 2 | Applying clinical tests
8. 4.3 - Part 3 | Clinical clusters
9. ACTIVITY | Apply a Cluster to a Clinical Scenario
10. 4.4 Considering the patient: Exam tolerance and adapting strategies
11. ACTIVITY | Quick reflection
1. 5.1 Introduction
2. 5.2 Refining the hypothesis
3. ACTIVITY | Primary hypothesis
4. 5.3 Establish a management plan
5. 5.3 - Part 1 | Using the problem list
6. 5.3 - Part 2 | Plan strategy
7. ACTIVITY | Choosing outcome measures
8. 5.4 Patient education: Communication + Language
9. 5.4 - Part 1 | Clinician language
10. 5.4 - Part 2 | Communication strategies
11. 5.4 - Part 3 | Communicating Risk
12. 5.5 Patient education: Knowledge Translation
13. 5.5 - Part 1 | Creating a resource
14. PROJECT | Knowledge Translation + Resource Creation
15. 5.6 Patient education: Patient expectations and satisfaction
16. 5.7 Patient education: Informed Consent
17. 5.8 Patient education: Mechanisms of manual therapy
18. 5.8 - Part 1 | Mechanisms explained
19. 5.8 - Part 2 | Applying the theory to practice
1. Meet one of our Guest Instructors | Emilie Whittemore
2. 6.1 Introduction
3. 6.2 Evaluating + monitoring change
4. 6.3 A review of exercise principles and prescription
5. 6.3 - Part 1 | Exercise Prescription Roadmap
6. ACTIVITY | Build a Program
1. 7.1 Introduction
2. 7.2 Acknowledging and addressing personal and professional bias
3. 7.2 - Part 1 | Bias + Assumptions
4. 7.2 - Part 2 | Questioning assumptions
5. 7.2 - Part 3 | Implicit Bias
6. 7.2 - Part 4 | Where will bias show up?
7. 7.2 - Part 5 | Reflecting on bias
8. ACTIVITY | Unconscious bias
9. ACTIVITY | Discussing the role of biases
10. PROJECT | Reflection Assignment
11. OPTIONAL | Learn more about unconscious bias
1. 8.1 Introduction
2. 8.2 Leadership, networking, and practice context
3. ACTIVITY | Your Leadership Style
4. 8.3 A discussion: The rural and remote practice lens
5. ACTIVITY | Share your thoughts
6. ACTIVITY | Building a network
1. 9.1 Completing the program
2. 9.4 Stay tuned for updates

Foundational Concepts in Clinical Reasoning

7.5 hours of video content

Registration now open!

Winter 2027: January 15 - March 12

Enrollment is limited to 20 participants to support meaningful mentorship.

Registration closes: December 18, 2026

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How learning + mentorship are supported

Self-paced Learning + Reflection:
Weekly modules introduce foundational concepts related to clinical reasoning development, evidence use, and bias in practice. Participants have access to full-text literature and a curated resource library to support reflection and application in their own clinical contexts.
Live Discussion + Case-based Mentorship:
Weekly live Q&A sessions and group mentorship discussions create space to explore questions, examine clinical reasoning, and apply course concepts to real-world cases in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Individualized Mentorship + Ongoing Support:
Built-in 1:1 mentorship sessions provide tailored support for integrating learning into practice, including discussion of complex cases and individual clinical challenges. Participants have ongoing access to mentors through scheduled office hours, email, and discussion forums throughout the program.
Professional Mentorship Recognition:
Mentorship is provided by FCAMPT physiotherapists registered with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Mentorship sessions may count toward direct mentorship hours required for Advanced Manual Therapy programs.
Continued Access + Community:
Participants retain access to course content, discussion forums, and member-only learning opportunities beyond the formal program to support ongoing professional development.

Why mentorship matters

Clinical reasoning develops most effectively through experience combined with reflection and guidance. Mentorship provides a supportive environment to slow down thinking, examine decisions, and organize complex information. Through structured discussion and collaborative learning, clinicians are supported in refining decision-making processes over time.

"My biggest challenge was wanting to diagnose the injury and panicking if I had multiple hypotheses. I would get caught up on smaller details or over-test in my objective assessments.

Working with Meghan allowed me to think outside the box and determine 2-3 hypotheses for a case. It gave me confidence that with complex cases, I didn't have to solve and diagnose immediately. I learned to not chase perfection in every assessment. I used to be very worried about getting it 'wrong'!"

— Steph J, Physiotherapist

Who this program is for

This program is designed for physiotherapists who:

Feel confident in their skills but uncertain in complex cases
Want decisions to feel clearer and less mentally demanding
Are early-career clinicians building foundations
Are mid-career clinicians refining their approach
Value mentorship, reflection, and thoughtful professional development

Upcoming Courses

Key dates + details

Foundational Concepts in Clinical Reasoning

WINTER 2027 | 15 JAN - 12 MAR

SPRING 2027 | 16 APR - 04 JUN

FALL 2027 | 24 SEP - 12 NOV

Duration: 8 weeks
Investment: $1695 + Tax
Location: Online

KEY DATES + DETAILS:

Registration Deadlines:
Winter 2027 Cohort: Registration closes 18 DEC 2026
Spring 2027 Cohort: Registration closes 19 MAR 2027
Fall 2027 Cohort: Registration closes 27 AUG 2027

Intake interview helps tailor the program to your goals & needs

Flexible 1:1 Mentorship session availability

Self-paced Module content released weekly

Live Q&A sessions weekly

Time commitment per week: ~3-5 hours

Learn more about the Program

Choose your payment plan:

WINTER 2027 | 15 JAN - 12 MAR

Registration closes 18 DEC 2026

$1,695.00

Best value - save $150 ($1695 + tax)

Register now
3 x $615.00

3-Month Payment Plan

Register now

SPRING 2027 | 16 APR - 04 JUN

Registration closes 19 MAR 2027

$1,695.00

Best value - save $150 ($1695 + tax)

Register now
3 x $615.00

3-Month Payment Plan

Register now

FALL 2027 | 24 SEP - 12 NOV

Registration closes 27 AUG 2027

$1,695.00

Best value - save $150 ($1695 + tax)

Register now
3 x $615.00

3-Month Payment Plan

Register now

Organizing clinical reasoning in everyday practice

Integrating skills, evidence, + patient context

Developing clarity through reflection + mentorship

While you're waiting...

PRE-COURSE | Introduction to the Program

Module 1 | Establishing the foundation: Clinical Reasoning and Evidence Informed Practice

Module 2 | BUILD "The patient in front of us"

Module 3 | GENERATE “Forming the Clinical Impression”

Module 4 | INFORM “Organizing the Clinical Exam”

Module 5 | CONFIRM “Refining the clinical hypothesis & informing management”

Module 6 | EVOLVE “Assessing change & revisiting our management approach”

Module 7 | Risk of Bias

Module 8 | Rural Resources and Community Networking

POST-COURSE

Foundational Concepts in Clinical Reasoning

KEY DATES + DETAILS:

$1,695.00

3 x $615.00

$1,695.00

3 x $615.00

$1,695.00

3 x $615.00