Physical Therapy Publications
Measurement Practices in Pediatric Rehabilitation A Survey of Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists in Ontario
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Journal
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
Volume
27
Issue
2
First Page
25
Last Page
42
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/J006v27n02_03
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.
