Cedar Ballroom

Engagement is important for client experiences and outcomes in healthcare services. However, it is often overlooked despite its implications for the involvement of youth and parents in goal setting, therapy intervention activities, implementing agreed upon plans, and in relationships with service providers. The lack of attention to engagement in pediatric rehabilitation therapy can be partly attributed to not knowing how to recognize engagement and not understanding how to measure it.

This interactive workshop provides a chance to explore the Pediatric Rehabilitation Intervention Measures of Engagement (PRIME) suite of tools to enhance service provider reflection and to improve partnership with clients. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about six tools that measure engagement from a variety of perspectives (youth, parent/caregiver, practitioner, and a non-involved observer).

 These activities will be followed by discussion of strategies for practice change and language that will help pediatric rehabilitation providers talk about engagement.

The PRIME measures will be available for attendees to download and use free of charge.

3 Key Takeaways
1.    Engagement is extremely important to the service experience of youth with disabilities and their parents 
2.    The PRIME tools can help service providers to think about, observe, and be responsive to client engagement and disengagement 
3.    The PRIME tools can assist practitioners to be aware of the importance of interpersonal aspects of care 
 

Dr. Gillian King, Distinguished Senior Scientist, Bloorview Research Institute
Dr. Michelle Phoenix, Assistant Professor, McMaster University
Dr. Kate Einarson, Knowledge Translation (KT) Specialist, Bloorview Research Institute