THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OUTCOME MEASURE PROJECT (ATOM) INITIAL IMPRESSIONS Written by: SUSAN JOHNSON TAYLOR, OTR/L, RESNA FELLOW, ISWP CERTIFIED
High-quality clinical care requires that patients provide information regarding how they are feeling, their symptoms and any effects of prescribed treatment. In the past years, there has been an increasing emphasis on patient-reported outcomes. A patient-reported outcome one that is directly reported by the patient without interpretation by a clinician or anyone else (Weldring and Smith, 2013). Several patientreported outcome measures have been developed that look at assistive technology in general or wheeled mobility and seating specifically. Patient-reported outcome measures are important tools in the field of Complex Rehab Technology (CRT). In CRT, outcome measures include those as in traditional medicine: symptoms, how the client is feeling and effects of prescribed treatment (Weldring and Smith, 2013). These tools gauge the effectiveness of CRT interventions from the client’s viewpoint. These measures can assist in informing clinical and ATP/supplier practice, as well, assisting in shaping CRT public policy. Outcome measure results make up a core part of evidence-based practice. In September 2020, Numotion embarked on the utilization of Assistive Technology Outcome Measure (ATOM), which is specific to the use of a CRT wheeled mobility base. This outcome measure was created and validated by Stephen Sprigle, Ph.D., (and group) of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Sprigle provides his expertise with the project. In addition, a relationship has recently been established with Georgia State’s Center for Evaluation and Research Services for data analysis. The ATOM is made up of three components: a permission form, 15 demographic questions and the 18-question ATOM survey. The client must be 18 years or older, able to communicate, verbally or written, and being evaluated for least their second wheelchair OR walking unsafely/non-functionally and require a CRT wheelchair to be safe. After obtaining written permission from the client, the Numotion ATP/supplier asks the questions during the evaluation, taking about 5-10 minutes. The questions asked should be asked at an evaluation anyway and can be used as initial interview questions. The same questions are asked two more times by phone: one month after fitting of the equipment so the client has the opportunity to live with the equipment for a while and six months post-fitting. The follow-up phone calls are made by experienced seating and wheeled mobility therapists. Follow up surveys include a subjective portion in which
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DIRECTIONS 2021.6
FIGURE 1 Sample ATOM Survey results. How safe do you feel while propelling or driving your wheelchair?
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
Sample ATOM Survey results. Overall, how well does this wheelchair (or scooter) meet your needs?
Sample ATOM Survey results. What is your comfort level in your wheelchair (or scooter)?
