Date of Award
3-7-2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
School Name
College of Health Professions
Department
Health Professions
Major Advisor
Dr. Megan Danzl, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS
Second Advisor
Dr. Barbara Jackson, PhD, RN
Third Advisor
Dr. Tara Ising, PhD
Abstract
Hand allotransplantation is a treatment option available for individuals who have suffered a traumatic upper extremity injury. To date, there is not an industry-standard recognized measurement tool for assessing post-hand allotransplantation functional performance. A commonly used observational functional assessment tool is the Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT). This dissertation explores therapists’ perceptions of the Carroll UEFT applicability to measure functional outcomes post-hand allotransplantation. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach with in-depth, semi-structured interviews with seven occupational and physical therapists representing five hand transplant centers in the United States. Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase thematic analysis approach was utilized for data analysis. The findings revealed four primary themes: 1) scoring is too vague and subjectivity prevails, 2) questionable reliability of the scores, 3) translates to real-life functional tasks, and 4) outcomes affecting decisions. The four themes were then analyzed through the theoretical framework lens of Kane’s argument-based approach to validation in which four inferences must be met: scoring, generalization, extrapolation, and implications. Empirical data from this study did not fully meet the criteria of Kane’s four inferences to support the use of the Carroll UEFT to measure functional outcomes post-hand-allotransplantation. The rehabilitation services fields associated with hand allotransplantations can incorporate the findings of this study into existing literature and collaborate to continue the investigation of an industry standard to measure functional outcomes post-hand allotransplantation.
Keywords: hand transplant, functional outcomes, treatment outcomes, Carroll UEFT, Kane’s argument-based approach to validation
Recommended Citation
Heiple, Jyoti, "Therapists’ Perceptions of the Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test to Measure Functional Outcomes Post-hand Allotransplantation Based on Lived Experience" (2022). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones. 128.
https://scholarworks.bellarmine.edu/tdc/128