The inter-rater reliability and validity of self-report of risk
factors for cumulative trauma disorders within the hand therapist population -
a pilot study
Affiliations: University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN,
USA
Note: [] 7659 Pebble Creek Dr., Maumee, OH 43527, USA. Tel.: +1 419 861
4225; E-mail: dargartm@juno.com
Abstract: {\it Objectives:} This study examined the validity of hand
therapists' self-report of cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) risk factors by
comparing the self-report to observations performed by the raters. Inter-rater
reliability was also analyzed between the raters who observed the hand
therapists. {\it Study Design:} Two raters simultaneously observed each hand
therapist during a splinting task at a therapy facility. Following this task,
the raters and the hand therapist independently completed an identical
assessment tool. Thirteen therapists were observed and a total of six raters
observed the therapists. Responses from two categories of the self-assessment,
``posture'' and ``mechanical stress'', were compared. Percentage of agreement
was calculated by dividing the number of like responses by the total number of
possible responses for each category. {\it Results:} Overall inter-rater
reliability was 72%, significantly above the accepted minimum standard of
60--70%, and validity was 39%, significantly below the accepted minimum. {\it
Conclusion:} The high percentage of inter-rater reliability established
consistency and accuracy among the raters in their observations. However, the
low percentage of validity should prompt hand therapists to investigate the
accuracy of a patient's self-report before relying on it for treatment.
Keywords: validity, inter-rater reliability, self-report, hand therapists, CTD risk factors
