Development of Hand Skills Testing Methodology for O&P Curriculum

ABSTRACT Introduction In orthotics and prosthetics education, there is a need for objective means of tracking and assessing hand skills development. These specialized skills are essential for clinicians when fabricating and modifying patients’ devices but are not learned in the same manner as theoretical knowledge. This research is the foundational step in designing and implementing a Hand Skills Test (HST) methodology and rubric within the context of the Baylor College of Medicine’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program. This study addresses the challenge of objectively evaluating students’ hand skills acquisition and competency, which is a key component of clinical education. Methods Trials were administered at the onset and conclusion of participants’ first year at the program. Five tasks common in the field were selected: metal bending, riveting, plastic flaring, foam skiving, and plastic polishing. Rubrics were designed to assess the task products. After reviewing the grading process, revisions were made to increase efficiency, testing content validity, and interrater reliability. Results Rubric revision increased grader percent agreement minimally. Percent agreements for all evaluations were in the upper 80s, which is within the acceptable range. Participants’ HST minimum scores increased, and the variance of scores decreased scores between trials 1 and 2. The results follow expected trends, lending credibility to this assessment tool. Conclusions This research is the preliminary phase of the study, which will collect testing data for the Baylor College of Medicine’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program cohorts through 2029. Future investigations will examine trends in hand skill development during participants’ time at the program. The goal of this project is to create an assessment tool to help identify how these specialized skills are learned and refined. Clinical Relevance By better assessing and understanding the acquisition of hand skills, orthotics and prosthetics clinical education can be enhanced to best meet learners’ needs.