Date of Award
5-2021
Document Type
Oral Presentation/Poster
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Faculty Mentor
Shana Cerny
Keywords
occupational therapy, wheelchair, seating and mobility, virtual education, wheelchair seating and mobility comfort, occupational therapist comfort
Subject Categories
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Seating and wheeled mobility is a complex practice area with serious secondary complications if the client does not have an optimally configured seating and mobility device. Occupational therapists receive basic education on seating and wheeled mobility, but additional education is needed for best practice. The purpose of this project was to provide education for the occupational therapy practitioner and identify if a virtual seating and mobility course could improve their comfort level working with their clients who rely on a wheelchair for occupational engagement. Methods: A literature review and needs assessment submitted by 100 occupational therapy clinicians guided course development. The 16-hour virtual seating and wheeled mobility course covered topics related to improving occupational performance using the Person-Environment-Occupation model. A pre and post comfort survey was developed using Qualtrics to identify if the course improved the clinicians perceived comfort. Results: A paired-samples t-test using composite scores from 13 comfort level questions were calculated to compare pre and post-course comfort levels with wheelchair seating and mobility. A significant improvement from pre-course comfort levels to post-course comfort levels was found (t (29) = −11.035, p < .001). A paired sample t-test on each question revealed the areas attendees identified as having the greatest comfort improvement. Clinicians had the most significant comfort level improvement with performing a mat assessment, followed by power mobility repositioning features, translating anthropometric measurements to the wheelchair, managing pressure injuries, and taking accurate client measurements. Conclusion: A virtual seating and mobility workshop can improve therapists comfort level with wheelchair seating and mobility
Recommended Citation
Loscheider, Jane A., "Empowering Occupational Therapy Practitioners through Virtual Education on Seating and Wheeled Mobility" (2021). Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations. 44.
https://red.library.usd.edu/ot-capstone/44