Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Human Engineering Research Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2022 May;17(4):462-472. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1799250. Epub 2020 Aug 29.
The purpose of this study was to develop, validate and conduct a feasibility study of three remote basic skills assessment modalities for wheelchair service providers (WSP) including an online case study quiz (m1), an in-person skills assessment (m2) and a video conference skills assessment (m3).
We conducted a literature review; developed and validated 3 basic skills assessments; and conducted a feasibility study of each modality.
The literature review revealed that a validated remote basic skills assessment for WSP that reflects all World Health Organization (WHO) 8 wheelchair service provision steps did not exist. We recruited a total of 12 participants for the feasibility study. Two participants dropped out of the study prior to completing a second testing modality. Related to test performance, the results show that our first hypothesis was rejected because only m1 mean score was comparable to the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) Basic Knowledge Test (SD = 0.44). This is in contrast with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test results that show a statistically significant difference between these two modalities. We are therefore not confident that the knowledge test was an appropriate comparison to m1 skills assessment. Hypothesis two was not rejected. The feasibility results reveal 86% success.
M1, 2 and 3 have the potential to serve as remote basic skills assessments. However, according to both test performance and feasibility criteria, we believe that m2 has the highest potential to be included in certification processes for basic wheelchair service providers, like the one offered by ISWP.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONA universal remote basic skills assessment that can be accessed across the globe, especially in remote locations where a skilled and experienced provider is not available, is needed.Such test can be an asset to training or professional organisations like ISWP as a way to test WSP competency or to warrant certification.WSP clinical knowledge and skills are essential for the prescription of an appropriate wheelchair to avoid physical harm, abandonment of the device and unnecessary expenses.Properly prescribed wheelchairs allow people with impaired mobility to gain increased ability to perform ADLs, participate in communities, and reduce secondary medical complications such as upper limb repetitive strain injuries, pain, and/or pressure sores.
本研究旨在开发、验证并对三种远程基础技能评估模式进行可行性研究，以评估轮椅服务提供者（WSP）的能力，包括在线案例研究测验（m1）、现场技能评估（m2）和视频会议技能评估（m3）。
我们进行了文献回顾；开发并验证了 3 项基本技能评估；并对每种模式进行了可行性研究。
文献回顾显示，目前不存在一种针对 WSP 的、经过验证的、可远程操作的基础技能评估方法，该方法能够涵盖世界卫生组织（WHO）规定的 8 项轮椅服务提供步骤。我们共招募了 12 名参与者进行可行性研究。在完成第二项测试模式之前，有两名参与者退出了研究。就测试表现而言，结果表明我们的第一个假设被否定了，因为只有 m1 的平均分数与国际轮椅专业人员协会（ISWP）的基础知识测试（m1）可比（标准偏差=0.44）。这与 Wilcoxon 符号秩检验的结果相反，该检验表明这两种模式之间存在显著差异。因此，我们对知识测试是否能与 m1 技能评估进行适当比较持怀疑态度。第二个假设未被否定。可行性研究结果显示，86%的参与者认为评估模式可行。
m1、m2 和 m3 有可能作为远程基础技能评估。然而，根据测试表现和可行性标准，我们认为 m2 最有可能被纳入像 ISWP 提供的基本轮椅服务提供者认证过程中。
需要有一种全球通用的远程基本技能评估方法，特别是在全球偏远地区，在这些地区，没有熟练且经验丰富的服务提供者。这种测试可以成为培训或 ISWP 等专业组织的一项资产，作为评估 WSP 能力或保证认证的一种方式。WSP 的临床知识和技能对于正确处方轮椅至关重要，可避免身体伤害、设备废弃和不必要的费用。正确处方的轮椅可使行动不便的人获得更大的日常生活活动能力，参与社区活动，并减少继发性医疗并发症，如上肢重复性劳损、疼痛和/或压疮。
