Development of the Applied Coaching Tool for Pediatric Rehabilitation Therapists: A Practice Support Tool for Therapists Coaching Parents of Young Children

Abstract Aim Describes the development and implementation of the Applied Coaching Tool (ACT), and training protocol, to build coaching competency in therapists supporting parents of young children. Methods The ACT was developed using literature review, draft tool creation, expert review and refinement. A training protocol for therapists to learn how to coach was developed using principles of adult learning, coaching and instructional design to increase learner competence and confidence. Results The ACT framework includes five coaching events to support therapists to implement coaching practices including self-directed goals, learner-focused interventions with meaningful reflection, practice and feedback. Within the ACT, behaviors associated with coaching events were defined as overt therapist actions and elaborations – examples of interactional behaviors. The training plan for therapists consisted of a workshop, intentional practice with coaching feedback over a period of five months, and assessment of competence. Pilot implementation demonstrated evidence of acceptability, appropriateness, adoption and fidelity of the ACT. Conclusion Use of the ACT, and the training plan, provides practical clinical behaviors for therapists to coach families to be active participants in rehabilitation which may contribute to improvements in self-efficacy and motivation in therapy. Furthermore, it provides a reliable standard amongst therapists coaching in pediatric rehabilitation.