Self-Rating as an Evaluation Tool following Continuing Professional Education

Abstract

This article describes the development of a questionnaire used to measure occupational therapists' self-rating of performance in working with families in early interoention. AbstractHow well the typical workshop meets professionals' needs to acquire new knowledge and maintain a high level of competence has been questioned. To adequately document the outcome of workshops, well designed evaluation measures are essential. This article discusses the development of a seifrating tool to assess participant change after a workshop on working with families who havea child receiving earlyinteroention seroices. One anticipated outcome of the workshop is that the therapist will indicate a higher level of performance in areas related to working with families. Prior to its use the evaluation tool's reliability and validity were examined.

Occupational therapists' attitudes toward family-centered care

“…Numerous studies suggest that professionals in higher-level positions such as head nurses and managers hold more favorable attitudes than individuals in staffpositions (Bruce et al, 2002;Dalley, 1991;Gill, 1987Gill, , 1993Humphry et al, 1992). More specifically, teachers and aides working in the trenches with a family may form different attitudes about that family than the administrator who is not involved with them on a daily basis.…”

“…Organizational culture can influence and determine the family-centered care attitudes and behaviors of staff working in an organization. Numerous studies (Bruce et al, 2002, Eckle & MacLean, 2001Gessinger et al, 1993;Humphry et al, 1992;Hostler, 1999;Letourneau & Elliot, 1996), show that respondents working in family-centered care cultures, such as early intervention centers, display more familycentered attitudes than respondents working in non family-centered cultures. Several factors may explain this finding.…”

“…Gill's 1987 and studies of nurses and health professionals found that individuals with advanced degrees held more positive attitudes toward family-centered care than those with only bachelor's degrees. In a related study, Humphry et al (1992) investigated family involvement in occupational therapy. They reported that respondents with graduate training demonstrated more positive attitudes toward working with families than those with only undergraduate degrees.…”

“…The literature suggests that respondents who work in an organizational culture that is familyfriendly will display more family-centered attitudes than those who do not (Gessinger et al, 1993;Humphry et al, 1992;Letourneau & Elliot, 1996). Two separate scales were developed for staff and for parents.…”

“…Typically, individuals in supervisory or higher level positions demonstrate more family-centered attitudes than those in staff positions (Dalley, 1991;Gill, 1987Gill, , 1993Humphry et al, 1992). Therefore, the type of the position held by the clinician was used as a variable.…”