Rehabilitation care course for paraprofessional personnel

A survey of training activities was conducted at Mass Rehabilitation Hospital by Research and Training Center No. 8 (RT-8), Temple University, Philadelphia. The findings revealed that primary teaching consideration was being given to trainees from affiliated institutions and professional employees rather than allied health professional personnel (occupational and physical therapy aides, nursing assistants and hospital corpsmen). This personnel group is the largest group of employees who spend the most time with patients, but have the least amount of formal education or training. A second survey of this group revealed they were interested in a continuing education course designed for them. As a result of the surveys, a course entitled, "Aspects of Rehabilitation Care," was designed for paraprofessional employees. The nine-month course was designed so that the material and language was kept at an appropriate level, with supplemental material and audiotapes of the course available for review. The lectures were evaluated each week by the students and this data was analyzed by RT-8. Results indicated that attendance was good, averaging 54 (73%) persons per week, and the course was a success as a learning experience. This paper presents the need, organization, content and evaluation of a rehabilitation care course designed for paraprofessional personnel.