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
Language
English
Copyright Information
Terms of Use for work posted in Sound Ideas: http://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/copyright.html
Degree Program
Occupational Therapy
Degree Level
Master of Science
Discipline
Occupational Therapy
School
University of Puget Sound
Recommended Citation
Brown, Elise; Hokanson, Andrea; and Turner, Tricia, "Clinical utility of the WeeFIM as a mandated outcome measure: Navigating the needs of the organization, client and clinician" (2016). School of Occupational Therapy Master's Capstone Projects (2016-2021). 8.
https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/ot_capstone/8
Capstone Approval