A Model Online Training for Safe Transport of CSHCN

1. A Model Online Training for Safe Transport of CSHCN Eileen Blake, MPHConnecticut Children’s Medical Center Injury Prevention Center

2. Project Members • Connecticut Children’s Medical Center • Injury Prevention Center • Rehabilitation Therapies • Web Master • Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs • Education and Development • Riley Hospital for Children • Automotive Safety Program: Safe Travel for All Children • University of Connecticut Video Communications

3. Problem • Lack of knowledge and resources regarding safe transportation of CSHCN • Parents/Caregivers • Health Care Providers • School Transportation Providers • Identified need for rehabilitation therapists to receive information on safe transport • Web based format to meet time constraints and provide wide access to information

4. Project Goals and Objectives Goal: Provide increased occupant protection to CSHCN in motor vehicles Objectives: • Adapt 16 hour Safe Travel for All Children Course from hands-on to web based course • Recruit at least 200 rehabilitation therapists to enroll in training • Assess success of web based format and gained knowledge of participants

5. Methodology • Conduct survey of parents regarding need for information • Develop and manage online training • Recruit rehabilitation therapists • Gather information regarding participants • Pre and Post testing to assess gained knowledge • End of course and follow up evaluation

6. Course Content • Injury Prevention • Crash Dynamics • Traditional Restraints • Specialized Restraints • Wheelchair Transport • School Bus Transport • Ambulance Transport

7. Course Participation • 6,000 members of professional organizations sent letter re: course • 1,075 completed online registration process • 852 (80%) consented to participate and were randomly assigned as intervention or control group • 495 (58% of consented participants) completed course

8. Experimental Design • Control group received pre and post proficiency test • Intervention group received post proficiency test only • Sample test question: • Select the best occupant restraint system for a five year old child who weighs 50 pounds and is in a hip spica cast with a fractured femur. The child is unable to sit upright due to the cast. • Belt positioning booster seat • Large medical seat such as Gorilla, Columbia or other similar • Reclined vehicle seat with safety belt • Modified EZ-On Vest

9. Course Outcomes • Over 4 months, 495 (58%) completed all eleven online lessons as well as a post-test and evaluation • 85 (10%) did not access any lessons • 272 (32%) accessed at least one or more lessons but did not complete the course

10. Pre-registration Participant Self Reported Information (n=1075)

11. Pre-registration Participant Self Reported Counseling (n=1,075)

12. Pre-registration Conclusions • Participation exceeded expectations • Rehabilitation therapists have had little formal training or experience in occupant protection • Little counseling regarding safe transport provided to families • Families have indicated need for information on safe transport from therapists

13. Gained Knowledge: Mean Proficiency Test Scores (n=495) *** <.001 significance

14. Course Evaluation (n=495)* • 2% received additional training since pre-registration • 52% reported that level of knowledge “increased significantly”, 48% “increased” • 32% reported willingness to provide counseling “increased significantly”, 60% “increased somewhat”, 8% no change • 35% reported confidence in providing correct information “increased significantly”, 61% “increased somewhat”, 4% no change * Initial analysis

15. Course Evaluation (n=495)* • 33% felt ability to serve as resource to colleagues “increased significantly”, 61% “increased somewhat” and 6% “neither increased or decreased • Anticipated number of times provide counseling as a result of course: 11% “increase significantly”, 59% “increase somewhat”, 30% “neither increase or decrease” • 90% would recommend course to a colleague • 43% rate course “excellent”, 46% “good”, 10% “satisfactory”, 1% “poor” * Initial analysis

16. Follow Up Course Evaluation* • 153 (31%) participants completed follow up evaluation sent by email • 53% reported “significant change” in level of knowledge since course, 45% “somewhat changed”, 3% “no change” • 32% reported “significant increase” in confidence to provide correct information since completing course, 64% “somewhat increased”, 4% “no change” * Initial analysis

17. Follow Up Course Evaluation • 37% felt ability to serve as a resource to families since completing course “increased significantly”, 60% “increased somewhat”, 13% “no change” • 57% rated course as “excellent”, 39% “good”, 3% “satisfactory”, 1% “poor” • 100% would recommend course to a colleague * Initial analysis

18. Next Steps • Distribute CD ROM Version of Course • Continue analysis • Submit outcomes to peer reviewed journals • Continue to serve as resource on safe transport • Expand mission beyond transportation injuries to home and recreation injuries experienced by CSHCN