3.5. Assessment of Wheelchair Skills

As noted earlier, evaluation is part of the circle of education. Periods of formal evaluation (e.g. using the WST or WST-Q before and after training, and at follow-up) can be useful. However, predicting future performance on the basis of early attempts is of limited use. The trainer should not prejudge the outcome of training. Ongoing assessment by the trainer is also important. What the trainer can do to facilitate the learning process varies continuously.

There are a variety of parameters that provide evidence of learning due to practice or experience. The WST and WST-Q represent only intermediate levels of assessment. Other, more detailed, parameters include increased speed, improved consistency, improved adaptability to other settings, improved economy of movement and improved ability to detect and self-correct errors. The Wheelchair Propulsion Test (see our website) or instrumented wheels can be used to record additional detail (e.g. push frequency). Examples of parameters at a level less detailed than the WST are hours per day of wheelchair use (e.g. using a questionnaire) and distance covered per day (e.g. using data-loggers). We suggest that a training log be used by the trainer and/or learner to track the training process.