Han Franck (OT, PhD)
Dr. Han Franck, occupational therapist, clinical researcher in the field of neurological rehabilitation for more than two decades and owner of Franck Handskills.
“Over the years, I developed a particular interest in clinical management of the paretic arm-hand of stroke survivors with a special interest in technology-supported rehabilitation of the affected arm and hand in post- stroke phase. My ultimate goal was to learn stroke patients how to use the full potential of their affected arm-hand during therapy sessions, but even more important, outside therapeutic situations, that is in their own daily life pursuits. In my quest to optimize technology-assisted arm-hand rehabilitation, I learned from fellow therapists, physicians and engineers at a national as well an international level. During these years until now, I am aware that to design the appropriate combination of providing tailored arm-hand therapy, supported with (advanced) technologies in stroke rehabilitation is still challenging and a continuous learning process.
In 2000, I received a bachelor degree as an occupational therapist at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in Heerlen. From 2002 till 2022, I worked as an occupational therapist in neurological rehabilitation of adolescents and adults at Adelante Rehabilitation Centre in Hoensbroek.
In 2010, I developed an arm-hand rehabilitation program with the aim of improving both the organization of and the content of arm-hand rehabilitation after stroke. The treatment method of this program called Concise Arm-hand Rehabilitation Approach in Stroke (CARAS) is used by various rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands and abroad.
Also in 2010, I received a master degree in Public Health, with a specialization in Health Services Innovation, at Maastricht University. In 2020, I received my PhD title at the department of Rehabilitation Medicine of the Research School CAPHRI at Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Associated as free-lance lecturer, I am affiliated with the Dutch Society of Rehabilitation Medicine, several medical device developers and I am a member of several initiatives such as the CARAS consortium. This consortium consists of a united group of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, (rehabilitation) physicians from the Netherlands and Belgium who implemented principles of CARAS in their rehabilitation centre, nursing home or private practice. The consortium provides a platform for discussion and learning methods with respect to topics related to arm-hand rehabilitation in post-stroke phase. Central topics are optimizing the organizational process of CARAS and sharing the latest insights, such as the application of technological applications in arm and hand rehabilitation. The consortium is an annual event organized by me in collaboration with colleagues from The Netherlands and Belgium.
Mission Franck Handskills
Franck Handskills wants to improve the quality of life of people with shoulder, arm and hand problems as a result of a stroke or other form of acquired brain injury. For maximum results during and after rehabilitation, Franck Handskills uses a well-defined, evidence-based training method, tailored to someone’s individual characteristics. This method embeds relevant features in order to improve the range of motion of the affected shoulder, arm and hand while using the affected arm and hand more in everyday activities. This effectively proven scientific method comprises various (intensive) forms of training, whether or not combined with assistive technologies.
Franck Handskills share its knowledge with health care institutions, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and (rehabilitation) physicians through training, consultations and lectures in order to optimize arm hand rehabilitation treatment.
In addition, Franck Handskills offers a variety of educational possibilities in order to assist health care professionals in the development of arm-hand treatment interventions for patients who experience problems in one or both shoulders, arm and/or hands after a stroke, neuromuscular disease (NMA), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Covid-19.