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Evaluation of pediatric-specific resources to support utilization of the Wheelchair Skills Training Program by the
Béatrice Ouellet1,2, Paula W Rushton3,4, Andrée-Anne Côté5
1Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
Insights
New resources for wheelchair skills training were developed for children. Occupational therapists and young wheelchair users found them satisfactory, usable, and relevant for improving independent mobility in pediatric settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Assistive Technology
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Independent mobility is crucial for children's engagement in meaningful activities.
- Wheelchair skills training (WST) can enhance independent mobility in pediatric manual wheelchair users (PMWUs).
- The standardized Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) is underutilized in pediatric settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop pediatric-specific WSTP resources for indoor skills.
- To evaluate occupational therapists' (OTs) and PMWUs' satisfaction with these resources.
- To explore the usability, relevance, and feasibility of these resources in pediatric rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive qualitative design was employed.
- Focus groups with OTs and semi-structured interviews with PMWUs were conducted.
- Data were analyzed using the Framework method.
Main Results:
- Most OTs and PMWUs were satisfied with the new resources, finding them usable, relevant, and feasible for novice users.
- All OTs and most PMWUs expressed interest in using the resources for training.
- Some experienced PMWUs found the resources less relevant, suggesting improvements for advanced users.
Conclusions:
- The developed resources are a practical solution to increase WSTP utilization in pediatric settings.
- These resources are well-suited for training young children and novice PMWUs.
- Additional resources are needed for older, more experienced PMWUs with intermediate to advanced skills.
Background:
Children's ability to engage in meaningful activities is positively influenced by their ability to move independently. Preliminary evidence in children suggests that wheelchair skills training improves wheelchair skills, which are important for independent mobility. The Wheelchair Skills Training Program is a standardized program to teach wheelchair skills. However, it is underutilized in pediatric rehabilitation settings. To increase its utilization, 3 pediatric-specific Wheelchair Skills Training Program resources related to indoor skills were developed (i.e., a storybook, four instructional posters, and a training workbook). This study aimed to describe occupational therapists' (OTs) and pediatric manual wheelchair users' (PMWUs) perceived satisfaction with the storybook, instructional posters and training workbook, and to explore their perceptions regarding the usability, relevance, and feasibility of these resources in pediatric rehabilitation settings.
Methods:
A descriptive qualitative design was used. Convenience samples of OTs and PMWUs were recruited in a rehabilitation center and affiliated schools. A focus group with OTs and semi-structured interviews with PMWUs were conducted by videoconference to obtain participants' feedback on the resource prototypes and suggestions for improvement. Data were deductively analyzed using the Framework method.
Results:
Eight OTs and 5 PMWUs expressed general satisfaction with the resources, describing them as usable, relevant, and feasible to integrate into wheelchair skills training with novice wheelchair users and younger children. All OTs and 3 PMWUs expressed the desire to use the resources for wheelchair skills training. Two PMWUs perceived the resources were not relevant to them because they already mastered the skills. The participants suggested minor modifications for improving the resources (e.g., more action in the story, increased precision of illustrations related to the characters' position in the wheelchair).
Conclusion:
OTs and PMWUs were satisfied with the resources, perceiving them to be applicable for training wheelchair skills among young children and novice wheelchair users. The resources represent a concrete solution to facilitate the use of the Wheelchair Skills Training Program in pediatric rehabilitation settings. Additional resources are needed to better reach older and more experienced PMWUs (i.e., of intermediate and advanced skill levels).
