Measuring the Expertise of Paediatric Rehabilitation Therapists

Authors

Gillian King, Thames Valley Children's Centre, London, ON
Doreen J. Bartlett, The University of Western Ontario
Melissa Currie, Thames Valley Children's Centre, London, ON
Michelle Gilpin, Thames Valley District School Board, London, ON
Donna Baxter, Thames Valley Children's Centre, London, ON
Colleen Willoughby, DMARehability, Canada
Mary Ann Tucker, Thames Valley Children's Centre, London, ON
Deborah Strachan, Child and Parent Resource Institute, Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2008

Journal

International Journal of Disability, Development and Education

Volume

55

Issue

1

First Page

5

Last Page

26

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10349120701654522

Abstract

This article describes the development of a classification system to measure the expertise levels of practicing paediatric rehabilitation therapists. Seventy-five therapists from five disciplines (physical, occupational, speech-language, behaviour, and recreational therapy) were involved, along with 170 peers, and 188 parents of children with disabilities. A cluster analysis of 10 indicators of expertise (derived from a battery of self-completed, peer-completed, and parent-completed measures) indicated three levels of therapist expertise—novice, intermediate, and expert. Expertise level was related to various aspects of experience but not to therapy discipline. The classification system will be useful for the education and professional development of paediatric therapists, and for research on expertise in paediatric rehabilitation.