Maria Luisa Toro1,2, Emily Bird1,3, Michelle Oyster1,3, Lynn Worobey1,3, Michael Lain1,3, Samuel Bucior1, Rory A Cooper1,2, Jonathan Pearlman1,2. 1. a Human Engineering Research Laboratories , VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System , Pittsburgh , PA , USA. 2. b Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA. 3. c Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
Abstract
Purpose of state: The aims of this study were to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Programme (WMTP) as a tool for clinicians to teach wheelchair users (and caregivers when applicable) in a group setting to perform basic maintenance at home in the USA and to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Questionnaire (WMT-Q) to evaluate wheelchair maintenance knowledge in clinicians, manual and power wheelchair users. METHODS: The WMTP and WMT-Q were developed through an iterative process. RESULTS: A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 17), manual wheelchair (n ∞ 5), power wheelchair users (n = 4) and caregivers (n = 4) provided feedback on the training programme. A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 38), manual wheelchair (n = 25), and power wheelchair users (n = 30) answered the WMT-Q throughout different phases of development. The subscores of the WMT-Q achieved a reliability that ranged between ICC(3,1) = 0.48 to ICC(3,1) = 0.89. The WMTP and WMT-Q were implemented with 15 clinicians who received in-person training in the USA using the materials developed and showed a significant increase in all except one of the WMT-Q subscores after the WMTP (p < 0.007). CONCLUSION: The WMTP will continue to be revised as it is further implemented. The WMT-Q is an acceptable instrument to measure pre- and post-training maintenance knowledge. Implications for Rehabilitation The Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program can be used to educate rehabilitation clinicians and technicians to improve wheelchair service and delivery to end users. This training complements the World Health Organization basic wheelchair service curriculum, which only includes training of the clinicians, but does not include detailed information to train wheelchair users and caregivers. This training program offers a time efficient method for providing education to end users in a group setting that may mitigate adverse consequences resulting from wheelchair breakdown. This training program has significant potential for impact among wheelchair users in areas where access to repair services is limited.
Purpose of state: The aims of this study were to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Programme (WMTP) as a tool for clinicians to teach wheelchair users (and caregivers when applicable) in a group setting to perform basic maintenance at home in the USA and to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Questionnaire (WMT-Q) to evaluate wheelchair maintenance knowledge in clinicians, manual and power wheelchair users. METHODS: The WMTP and WMT-Q were developed through an iterative process. RESULTS: A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 17), manual wheelchair (n ∞ 5), power wheelchair users (n = 4) and caregivers (n = 4) provided feedback on the training programme. A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 38), manual wheelchair (n = 25), and power wheelchair users (n = 30) answered the WMT-Q throughout different phases of development. The subscores of the WMT-Q achieved a reliability that ranged between ICC(3,1) = 0.48 to ICC(3,1) = 0.89. The WMTP and WMT-Q were implemented with 15 clinicians who received in-person training in the USA using the materials developed and showed a significant increase in all except one of the WMT-Q subscores after the WMTP (p < 0.007). CONCLUSION: The WMTP will continue to be revised as it is further implemented. The WMT-Q is an acceptable instrument to measure pre- and post-training maintenance knowledge. Implications for Rehabilitation The Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program can be used to educate rehabilitation clinicians and technicians to improve wheelchair service and delivery to end users. This training complements the World Health Organization basic wheelchair service curriculum, which only includes training of the clinicians, but does not include detailed information to train wheelchair users and caregivers. This training program offers a time efficient method for providing education to end users in a group setting that may mitigate adverse consequences resulting from wheelchair breakdown. This training program has significant potential for impact among wheelchair users in areas where access to repair services is limited.
Entities:
Keywords:
Clinician training; caregiver training; group training; maintenance; test–retest reliability; training development; wheelchair
Authors: Brad E Dicianno; James Joseph; Stacy Eckstein; Christina K Zigler; Eleanor J Quinby; Mark R Schmeler; Richard M Schein; Jon Pearlman; Rory A Cooper Journal: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Date: 2018-03-20
Authors: Brad E Dicianno; James Joseph; Stacy Eckstein; Christina K Zigler; Eleanor Quinby; Mark R Schmeler; Richard M Schein; Jon Pearlman; Rory A Cooper Journal: Mil Med Date: 2018-11-01 Impact factor: 1.437
Authors: Lynn A Worobey; Allen W Heinemann; Kim D Anderson; Denise Fyffe; Trevor A Dyson-Hudson; Theresa Berner; Michael L Boninger Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2021-04-09 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Karen H Fung; Paula W Rushton; Rachel Gartz; Mary Goldberg; Maria L Toro; Nicky Seymour; Jonathan Pearlman Journal: Afr J Disabil Date: 2017-09-08
Authors: Paula W Rushton; Karen Fung; Mélina Gauthier; Mary Goldberg; Maria Toro; Nicky Seymour; Jon Pearlman Journal: Hum Resour Health Date: 2020-02-18
Authors: Lynn A Worobey; R Lee Kirby; Rachel E Cowan; Trevor A Dyson-Hudson; Mary Shea; Allen W Heinemann; Jessica Presperin Pedersen; Rachel Hibbs; Michael L Boninger Journal: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol Date: 2020-08-18
Authors: Rosemary Joan Gowran; Nathan Bray; Mary Goldberg; Paula Rushton; Marie Barhouche Abou Saab; David Constantine; Ritu Ghosh; Jonathan Pearlman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-24 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lynn A Worobey; Gina McKernan; Maria Toro; Jonathan Pearlman; Rachel E Cowan; Allen W Heinemann; Trevor A Dyson-Hudson; Jessica Presperin Pedersen; Matthew Mesoros; Michael L Boninger Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2021-06-24 Impact factor: 3.966