MASS Introduction to Wheelchair and Seating Workshop (Townsville)

Learn about how to prescribe wheelchairs and seating. In this workshop we take you through the World Health Organization’s 8-step process of wheelchair prescription: referral, assessment, selection, funding and ordering, wheelchair preparation, fitting, user training, and follow-up. Consolidate your clinical reasoning and practical skills with manual, power and tilt-in-space wheelchairs. Features include the simple mechanical assessment tool (MAT), case studies of selection and fitting, and hands-on experience with a range of wheelchairs and seating options.

This workshop is run by the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme and will focus on products and processes relevant to the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme. The core principles will be relevant to various schemes, however we will not cover the specific application processes of other schemes.

Is this workshop right for me?

We ask our attendees to self-rate their competence in wheelchairs and seating before and after the session. Of those that started as;

• No competence - 88% became novices and 12% became competent
• Novice - 78% became competent and 22% remained as novice
• Compentent - 67% remained competent and 33% became advanced
• Advanced - 100% remained as advanced

The majority of people who self-rated as previously not competent or novice said "My knowledge and skills improved a lot", while the majority of those who were already competent or advanced said "My knowledge and skills improved a little".

This workshop is most suitable for people in their first 10 years of working with people with assistive technology, as well as students or people new to the field.

This workshop provides a broad overview of wheelchair considerations and a range of practical skills. More complex skills and knowledge will be covered in subsequent intermediate and advanced workshops.

Presenters:

Dr Kieran Broome, Occupational Therapist, Advanced Clinical Educator, Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme

Kieran is a part-time clinical educator and research, and part-time rural generalist private practice occupational therapist. He has a long history of community practice across various settings and caseloads. He has a passion for complex assistive technology, and techology that meets the needs of rural and mixed terrain users. His is co-author of a research study exploring the lived experience of using assistive technology for beach access.

Leena Fraser, Physiotherapist, Clinical Advisor (Equipment Services), Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme

Leena is a Physiotherapists who is Townsville's MASS Clinical Advisor for mobility and daily living aids. She also works part-time as the Advanced Physiotherapist for the Townsville Community Allied Health Team.

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