Getting inTOUCH: outcomes of a knowledge translation intervention for tactile assessment knowledge, barriers, and practice in paediatric therapists working with children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Tactile impairments are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP), however assessment is not routinely carried out by therapists. We investigated a multi-faceted Knowledge Translation intervention to improve Knowledge, remove Barriers and enhance Practice of tactile assessments by paediatric therapists.Method: Twelve therapists from a state-wide service for children with CP (seven physiotherapists, five occupational therapists; 12 female) received: written information, demonstration videos, a face-to-face workshop, equipment provision, and on-call mentoring. Therapists completed pre–post-intervention questionnaires reporting their perceived tactile assessment Knowledge, current Practices and implementation Barriers.Results: Following intervention, therapists improved Knowledge of correct (1) tactile impairment prevalence in children with CP (pre 3/12; post 9/12), (2) tactile assessment items (e.g. Registration – pre 1/12; post 9/12; Localisation – pre 2/12; post 10/12), and (3) equipment choice (e.g. Monofilaments – pre 1/12; post 10/12). Tactile assessment Practice improved slightly. All major clinician-level implementation Barriers were resolved and less obvious organisational-level Barriers were identified for follow-up.Conclusion: A 12-month multi-faceted Knowledge Translation intervention can improve tactile assessment Knowledge, resolve major clinician-level implementation Barriers, and identify less obvious organisational-level Barriers to be addressed to achieve maximum Practice improvement. Ongoing multi-faceted knowledge translation processes are essential for high-performing organisations.Implications for rehabilitationA multi-faceted knowledge translation intervention significantly improved paediatric therapists’ knowledge of the items and equipment necessary for tactile assessment.A 12-month intervention can address clinician-level barriers of knowledge, confidence, and access to equipment and assist in the identification of less obvious organisational-level barriers.Consideration of motivational readiness for change, intervention timelines, monitoring of emergent barriers, and fitting tactile assessment into a broader assessment framework are critical for improving uptake of tactile assessment in practice.