Presenter: Bethany Aluise Smith
Date/Time: Tuesday April 14th, 2026 Noon – 1 pm MT
Cost: APTA members free, non members $10, Students Free
Dizziness and balance disorders are among the most common reasons patients seek outpatient care, yet many clinicians feel underprepared to confidently evaluate vestibular contributions to these symptoms. A General Practitioner’s Guide to Vestibular Assessment is a practical, clinically oriented continuing education course designed to equip physical therapists with the foundational skills needed to screen, assess, and triage patients with suspected vestibular dysfunction.
This course demystifies the vestibular system by breaking down essential anatomy and physiology, common vestibular pathologies, and evidence‑based assessment techniques appropriate for the general outpatient setting. Through clear instruction and case‑based examples, participants will learn how to perform efficient bedside screening, identify red flags requiring referral, and differentiate between peripheral and central causes of dizziness. Emphasis is placed on functional, time‑effective assessment strategies that seamlessly integrate into standard physical therapy evaluations.
By the end of the course, clinicians will feel more confident identifying vestibular involvement, documenting key findings, communicating with interdisciplinary providers, and determining when a patient can be managed in general practice versus when specialty vestibular rehabilitation or medical referral is indicated. This course is ideal for physical therapists seeking to enhance their clinical reasoning, improve patient outcomes, and expand their skill set in one of the most impactful—and underserved—areas of practice.
Speaker Bio:
Bethany Aluise Smith is a physical therapist who resides in Grand Junction, Colorado. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology/Psychology at Northwest Missouri State University in 2014 and Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in 2017. Bethany currently works at a hospital-based outpatient clinic as a general practitioner. She specializes in neuromuscular conditions with advanced education in Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and vestibular rehabilitation. Bethany received her certification as a vestibular rehabilitation specialist in March 2024. Bethany has a passion for working with the geriatric population and individuals who have a neurodegenerative disease, along with teaching clinicians to enhance patient care. Bethany has guest lectured with the CMU DPT program and has hopes of further participation in academia.
