Development of a measure to assess effective listening and interactive communication skills in the delivery of children’s rehabilitation services

Abstract

Purpose: Therapists’ listening and communication skills are fundamental to the delivery of children’s rehabilitation services but few measures comprehensively assess these skills. The 24-item Effective Listening and Interactive Communication Scale (ELICS) was developed to reflect a multifaceted conceptualization based on evidence in the literature. Method: Data from 41 pediatric rehabilitation therapists (occupational, physical, speech-language, recreation, and behavioural therapists; psychologists and social workers) were used to determine the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the subscales. Results: The measure contains four subscales with very good to excellent reliability: Consensus-oriented, Exploratory, Receptive, and Action-oriented Listening. Content validity was ensured by the development process. Conclusions: The ELICS portrays listening as a purposeful, goal-oriented, and relational activity. The measure allows clinicians to assess and reflect on their listening/communication skills, and can be used to evaluate professional development activities and interventions geared to improving these skills.Implications for RehabilitationTherapists’ listening and effective communication skills are essential to the successful delivery of children’s rehabilitation services, but few measures comprehensively assess these skills.Clinical encounters in pediatric rehabilitation involve various types of listening/communication skills: receptive listening, exploratory listening, consensus-oriented listening, and action-oriented listening.The ELICS is a valid and context-appropriate tool for the self-assessment of listening and communication skills in the context of pediatric rehabilitation practice.The ELICS allows clinicians (e.g., occupational, physical, and speech-language therapists) to assess and reflect on their listening/communication skills and may enhance the relationship-based practice of clinicians who provide therapy services to children with disabilities and their families.