For the past five years, Eshel’s training center has been offering a certification course in the Neuro-IFRAH method for physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This method was designed to treat individuals requiring neurological rehabilitation. To date, five courses have been completed (from 2005 to 2009) with the participation of 109 physiotherapists and occupational therapists from community clinics, general and rehabilitation hospitals, and old-age homes. In preparation for the continuation of the course, Eshel asked the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute to conduct a survey of graduates to examine their utilization of the method, their attitudes to it, their perception of its contribution to their therapeutic work and of difficulties and unmet needs.
The data were collected in a telephone survey of 104 graduates out of a total of 109.
The survey findings reveal that:
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Most of the graduates (91%) reported using the method in the half year preceding the interview: over half (54%) reported using it to a very great or great extent, 28% reported using it to a small extent. The rate of utilization was higher among occupational therapists than physiotherapists (61% and 46% respectively).
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Almost all the graduates assessed the method as contributing to them to a very great or great extent: new professional skills (90%), important treatment tools (88%), new professional knowledge (88%) and improved quality of care for patients (81%).
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Most agreed that the implementation of the method is both physically strenuous for the therapist (82%) and requires ongoing review of the professional course material (81%). Opinions were divided over other aspects of the implementation: “easy to implement” (60%); “does not require prolonged treatment” (60%); “easy to obtain the necessary equipment” (56%).
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Almost all the graduates (95%) attributed great importance to the provision of professional support for purposes of ongoing consultation in the implementation of the method and most (77%) indicated that they would be interested in additional training in the method.
The survey findings provided Eshel with valuable input for both further development of the certification course in the Neuro-IFRAH method and in determining programmatic directions to help graduates continue to implement the method in their therapeutic work.
The study was initiated and funded by Eshel, the Association for the Planning and Development of Services for the Aged in Israel.
Citing suggestion: Nir, S., & Korazim, M. (2011). The Neuro-IFRAH Method: Its Contribution and Utilization as a Treatment Method by Graduates of Certification Courses. RR-592-11. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. (Hebrew)