The relevance of education training for therapists in promoting the delivery of holistic rehabilitation services for young school children with disabilities in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relevance of education training to occupational therapists and physiotherapists (therapists) in their delivery of rehabilitation services in early child educational settings in Hong Kong.


METHODS
A qualitative study was carried out on seven therapists who were completing their educational studies at postgraduate level and six informed-consenting classroom educators, each of whom had worked with one of the therapists. A mainly open-ended questionnaire for collecting initial data was administered on the therapists, who were also requested to elaborate further on their responses. Concurrently, individual, audiotaped semi-structured interviews were held with the educators. The data were inductively analysed through categorical coding and themes derived separately for each group, with the authors reaching consensus in organizing the identified themes.


RESULTS
The 100% response from the therapists revealed that they had acquired more confidence with increasing knowledge of educationally-relevant issues and applied them in collaborative practice with educators. Their current programmes extended beyond unidisciplinary paediatric habilitation. The educators' interview transcripts supported these findings. Some ways of applying knowledge and delivering educationally-relevant therapy were discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Incorporation of education-training as continuing education for therapists employed in childhood educational settings is important for maximizing quality paediatric rehabilitation in these settings.
Webb
Cecilia Y
CY
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ROC. rscwebb@inet.polyu.edu.hk
Anderson
Judith M
JM
D002648:Child; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004500:Education, Graduate; D006694:Holistic Health; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods