A team of educators s and researchers designed a blended education program to teach O&P professionals a standard practice of collecting and using outcome measures in their facility. The program increased the participants’ knowledge and confidence in using outcome measures.
Fifteen learners (seven practitioners, four technicians, and four administrative staff) completed online education and in-person training. Learners’ attitudes toward knowledge of confidence administering and rate of adoption of OMs into clinical practice were assessed before the start of the program, immediately upon completion, and four months after completion. Performance indicators were accessed through electronic medical records.
The participants’ attitudes toward outcome measures were overwhelmingly positive and remained positive. Practitioners’ post-education knowledge scores on the standardized use of outcome measure increased significantly as did their confidence administering outcome measure. Practitioners reported using outcome measures significantly more four months after the program, and they doubled the number of times outcome measure were collected each month. This resulted in a 3,000 percent increase and 500 data points recorded in the electronic medical record at the end of the four months.
The study, “Attitudes and behaviors toward using outcome measures in clinical practice: Findings of a blended education program,” was published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
