Loading...
Understanding allied health practitioners’ use of evidence-based assessments for children with cerebral palsy: A mixed methods study
O'Connor, Bridget Kerr, Claire Shields, Nora Imms, Christine
O'Connor, Bridget
Kerr, Claire
Shields, Nora
Imms, Christine
Abstract
Purpose:
Evidence-based assessments for children with cerebral palsy are not widely used by healthcare professionals in day-to-day practice. This study aimed to examine allied health practitioner experiences, perceptions, and use of assessments for children with cerebral palsy.
Method:
A mixed methods study was conducted in two rehabilitation organisations. Three focus group interviews explored therapists’assessment experiences with data analysed using interpretive description. Assessment practices of therapists (n¼55) were assessed through self-report questionnaire and case-file audit of children with cerebral palsy (n¼44).
Results:
Emergent themes described therapists’motivation to use evidence-based assessments on a behavioural continuum–Idon’t; I can’t; I try; I do; We do; influenced by assessment satisfaction, child and family collaboration, organisational expectation, research fit, and time dedication. Only two of fifteen audited assessments were documented in more than 50% of files. Use was higher where assessments positively connected therapists, children and parents, and use was organisationally endorsed. TheCultural Conefor evidence-based assessment behaviour was conceptualised.
Conclusions:
“Engagement in”assessment appears to require a conceptual shift by therapists and organi- sations to understanding assessment as part of, not an adjunct to, therapy. The Cultural Cone framework may assist therapists and services in designing strategies to promote evidence-based assessment behaviours.
Keywords
Assessment, cerebral palsy, knowledge translation, evidence based practice, allied health professional, behaviour change
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Disability and Rehabilitation
Book
Volume
41
Issue
Page Range
53-65
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled