Measurement Practices in Pediatric Rehabilitation

Abstract

We investigated measurement practices in pediatric rehabilitation. We conducted a survey of 63 physical, 72 occupational, and 74 speech-language therapists working in one of 16 children's rehabilitation programs in Ontario, Canada. Therapists were surveyed about their measurement practices, and their confidence, beliefs, and attitudes about measurement. Results showed that standardized clinical measures were used frequently, but were often modified. Clinicians rated themselves as least comfortable with statistical concepts related to the uncertainty in test scores, and rated factors related to finding appropriate measures as the most important influences on their measurement practices. Some variance in measurement attitudes and practices was associated with treatment centre of practice, suggesting that there may be organizational or peer influences on measurement behaviour. The results have implications for continuing education, measurement development, and interventions designed to facilitate sound measurement practices.

Using knowledge brokers to facilitate the uptake of pediatric measurement tools into clinical practice: a before-after intervention study

“…The challenges to moving outcome measures into clinical practice in children's rehabilitation settings [20,21] are similar to those reported in a systematic review of barriers to moving evidence to practice more broadly [22]. Specifically, Cochrane et al .…”

“…The questionnaire provided ratings of familiarity with and use of the four measurement tools (GMFCS, GMFM-88, GMFM-66, Motor Growth Curves) assessed on a 10-point Likert scale (from 'not at all' to 'to a great extent'). Based on previous work evaluating measures and knowledge uptake [20,31], nine questions concerning organizational support were included in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was pilot-tested with 27 therapists and modified based on their feedback prior to its use in this study.…”

“…Although PTs recognize the importance of using standardized measures as part of evidence-based practice, they face many challenges in selecting, using and interpreting the information from measures [20]. The challenges to moving outcome measures into clinical practice in children's rehabilitation settings [20,21] are similar to those reported in a systematic review of barriers to moving evidence to practice more broadly [22].…”

Commonly Used Outcome Measurement Tools in Pediatric Physical Therapy Telerehabilitation in the Philippines: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

“…Respondents reported that the most commonly used OMT by pediatric telerehabilitation PTs in the Philippines is the GMFM—including both versions of GMFM-88 and GMFM-66. Two studies support this finding as they reported GMFM as the most frequently used OMT from their surveys ( Hanna et al, 2007 ; Knox et al, 2019 ). Similarly, Fay et al (2018) cited GMFM as the second most used OMT in their study.…”

A KT intervention including the evidence alert system to improve clinician’s evidence-based practice behavior—a cluster randomized controlled trial

“…AHPs endorse providing evidence-based care [ 4 , 5 ], but goodwill alone does not guarantee the latest research is translated and applied within practice [ 6 , 7 ]. Survey research suggests that there is a significant gap between best available evidence and what treatments are actually offered to people with CP [ 8 , 9 ]. Lack of time [ 10 ], lack of skill searching and appraising research [ 11 , 12 ], and lack of access to databases compounded by large volumes of published research are barriers to new knowledge being translated in a timely and efficient way [ 13 ].…”