Assisting Living and Learning (ALL) Institute member Rosemary Gowran and colleague Kimberly Mathis publish a new paper in 'Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology' entitled, 'A cross-sectional survey investigating wheelchair skills training in Ireland'
Abstract
Purpose
Wheelchair skills trainings are a vital aspect wheelchair provision yet are arguably overlooked and extent to which training is provided in the Irish context is highly variable. The primary aim of this study was to quantify whether a need exists to further develop wheelchair skills training in Ireland.
Methods
A cross sectional survey was conducted using SurveyMonkeyTM. Irish health professionals involved in wheelchair service delivery were asked how they offer wheelchair skills trainings and what components of wheelchair skills they train. To collect qualitative information, questions also explored how health professionals would like training to develop.
Results
Consensus among respondents was that training is often provided to new users (n = 91, 89%), however, it is limited to mostly transfers and simple mobility techniques. Further, it was reported that advanced mobility skills are sometimes (n = 81, 51%) or never taught (n = 81, 21%). The respondent’s confidence instructing various skills corresponded with the frequency of instruction. The responses captured a shared interest in developing standardised training programs and the development of continued education training in the area.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2021.2001058Read in full here.
