Introduction

Wheelchair provision is a systematic, person-centred service that profoundly impacts health, function, and participation. This introductory course overviews the WHO's 2023 framework: Select, Fit, Train, and Follow-up and uses it as a guide to explore evidence-based approaches to fitting, skills training, and maintenance. Gain foundational knowledge emphasising individualised assessment over prescriptive formulas to support optimal user outcomes.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• discuss how to systematically evaluate seat dimensions, postural alignment, and pressure distribution for indivisualised user assessment
• describe essential wheelchair maintenance tasks across different timeframes, user-performed maintenance and tasks requiring professional expertise
• discuss how poor wheelchair fitting, inadequate skills training, and insufficient maintenance contribute to secondary complications including pressure injuries, musculoskeletal problems, and wheelchair-related injuries

Target audience

This course is aimed at Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy clinicians, students and assistants. Other interested professionals such as athletic trainers, occupational therapists, nurses or medical doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.

Practicalities

• Availability - this course is online and can be completed on your own schedule.
• Hours of Learning - No deadlines are applied to this course and it can be started and completed in your own time according to your personal schedule. We expect the required elements to take around 2-2.5 hours depending on your schedule and learning style. Additionally there are many optional resources provided and if you choose to review these the course could take longer to complete.
• Types of Activities - This course includes instructional and/or practical videos, reading activities, AI supported learning activities, reflection, evaluation forms, a quiz and additional resources.
• Certificates - At the end of the course, when you have completed all of the required elements, you will be able to download a certificate of completion and 2.1 Plus points will be added to your personalised learning dashboard.

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination Policy

Physiopedia Plus is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age in any aspect of our continuing education services. We are dedicated to ensuring that all learners can fully participate in our programmes. Participants who require accommodations or have special needs are encouraged to contact us with details so that we can make all reasonable efforts to meet these requirements.