Submission ID 131534
| Issue/Objective | An estimated 2.5 billion people require assistive devices, yet access remains limited partly due to gaps in trained personnel able to provide assistive devices. Digital, scalable interventions are increasingly recognized as key strategies to strengthen workforce capacity and translate evidence into practice. The World Health Organization's Training in Assistive Products (TAP) program is an open-access eHealth tool designed to improve assistive device provision. However, its impact on learner outcomes remains insufficiently evaluated. This study aimed to assess the usability and acceptability of the TAP module and evaluate its effect on self-efficacy in mobility aid provision, aligning with efforts to bridge research and implementation in global health. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A quasi-experimental pre-post study was conducted with undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Ottawa. Participants completed the WHO TAP Introduction to Assistive Products module entirely delivered online in a 2-hour session. Usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS; 0-100), acceptability using constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM; 1-5) and Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA; 1-5), and self-efficacy using a Bandura's Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy (MSPSE; 1-5). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired-samples t-tests. |
| Results | Of 53 participants recruited, 33 met inclusion and completion criteria. Usability exceeded established benchmarks (76.97 ± 9.66), indicating a positive user experience with the eHealth module. Acceptability findings demonstrated favourable responses across domains, with high ratings for ease of use and intervention coherence, and comparatively lower burden scores. Self-efficacy improved across all competencies, with mean scores increasing from 2.32 ± 0.58 to 4.23 ± 0.36. Significant improvements were observed across all items (p < 0.001), reflecting substantial gains in confidence in mobility aid provision. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Our result suggests that the eHealth TAP training can be completed online with high usability and favourable acceptability, while significantly improving self-efficacy in assistive device provision. This indicates effective translation of knowledge into practical capability while supporting engagement and minimizing cognitive burden. Together, these findings highlight the potential for scaling digital training tools implementation to strengthen workforce capacity globally and support more consistent, safe provision of mobility aids in settings with limited training resources. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Rachel Sudhakar University of Ottawa Jennifer O'Neil University of Ottawa |
