Abstract

Local outpatient pediatric occupational therapists expressed a need for evidence to support the use of the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) as a universal measure for evaluations in their facility. We summarized the evidence addressing the psychometrics of the WeeFIM and a comparison instrument, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). We ultimately made a recommendation for the PEDI based on its better evidence history for children with autism. The collaborating clinicians received an organizational mandate to implement use of the WeeFIM. We surveyed them to better understand their knowledge translation process. Themes from surveys were inserted into the Knowledge Translation Access Process model (MacDermid & Graham, 2009), and we documented the steps clinicians took to apply the evidence in spite of organizational barriers. Survey results and analysis of knowledge translation suggest that the standardization of the evaluation process is highly valued by clinicians and any shortcomings of the WeeFIM that were identified in the published evidence can be addressed by the use of additional measures.

Publication Place

Tacoma, Washington

Publisher

University of Puget Sound

Project Chairperson

Clinical utility of the WeeFIM as a mandated outcome measure: Navigating the needs of the organization, client and clinician.

Advisor

Publication Date

5-2016

Genre

Capstone Project

Format

PDF

Language

English

Degree Program

Occupational Therapy

Degree Level

Master of Science

Discipline

Occupational Therapy

School

University of Puget Sound

T3_Brown-page1.pdf (224 kB)
Capstone Approval

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