Article

This project endeavored to create an educational module including
methodology to instruct physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in the
evaluation and appropriate treatment of patients with spasticity and other
sequelae of the upper motor neuron syndrome. It further sought to verify acquired
competencies in spasticity management through objective evaluation methodology.
A physical medicine and rehabilitation board-certified physician with 10 yrs
clinical experience in spasticity management trained 16 residents using a
standardized competency-based module. Assessment tools developed for this program
address the basic competencies outlined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education. The 16 residents successfully demonstrated proficiency in
every segment of the evaluation module by the end of the Postgraduate Year 3
spasticity management rotation. Objective measures compared resident scores on an
institution-specific standardized test administered before and after training.
Resident proficiency in the skills and knowledge pertaining to spasticity
management was objectively verified after completion of the standardized
educational module. Validation of the assessment tool is evidenced by
significantly improved postrotational institution-specific standardized test
scores (mean pretest score, 61.1%; mean posttest score, 95.4%) as well as oral
testing. In addition, the clinical development tool was validated by residents
being individually observed performing skills and deemed competent by a
board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician specializing in
spasticity management. The standardized educational module and evaluation
methodology provide a potential framework for the definition of baseline
competency in the clinical skill area of spasticity management.

Langue : ANGLAIS