Training therapists to perform Pre-Employment Functional Assessments: A telerehabilitation approach.

BACKGROUND: Pre-Employment Functional Assessments (PEFA) are increasingly used in an attempt to obtain objective information on a potential employee's functional capabilities. In rural and remote communities, there is typically reduced access to qualified therapists to perform these assessments, in part attributable to the time and costs associated with travelling to training courses. One potential method of providing the relevant training to conduct PEFAs is through the use of technologies such as videoconferencing or internet-based modules.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of training therapists and therapy students in performing JobFit System PEFAs via technology when compared with a face-to-face control group.

METHODS: Fifty-three participants, consisting of 28 professional physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and 25 final year University of Queensland (UQ) physiotherapy and occupational therapy students, underwent JobFit Systems International PEFA training via one of four intervention groups: face-to-face, realtime videoconferencing, group-based online module and individual online module.

RESULTS: Of the 53 participants, 49 achieved the minimum competency level of 75% in post-training competency assessments. No significant difference was found in training levels between intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that technology, such as real-time videoconference and online learning modules, can be used to train both therapists and students in how to perform JobFit System PEFAs.