A mixed methods study protocol to develop and pilot a Competency Assessment Tool to support therapists in the care of patients with blunt CHest trauma (CATCh Study)

Introduction

Competency Assessment Tools are well-recognised as a method to achieve a standardised level of practice for a group of healthcare professionals with similar characteristics. The aim of this study is to develop and pilot a new Competency Assessment Tool to support therapists caring for patients with blunt chest trauma from pre-hospital care through to long-term follow-up following hospital discharge.

Methods and analysis

A mixed methods study will be undertaken, with three distinct phases; 1) an integrative narrative review to examine the literature regarding therapist competencies (described elsewhere), 2) focus groups with patients, therapists and key stakeholders to explore opinions regarding important aspects of care (phases one and two will inform the content of the tool), followed by final tool development by an international expert panel, and 3) a multi-centre pilot study using questionnaires and elicitation interviews, in which final tool acceptability to therapists will be tested. The total sample size will be between 40-50 participants for the focus groups. For the final tool development work, a panel of 10 international experts will be identified, with a subgroup of three to five experts who will be recruited to confirm content validity. We will pilot the tool at five health boards in Wales, aiming for 10 therapists from each. Elicitation interviews will be undertaken with a smaller sample size of between 15-20 therapists. A mixed qualitative and quantitative data analysis approach will be used.

Ethics and dissemination

Proportionate ethics approval has been granted (Reference number: 24/YH/0231). We will publish the work in an open access peer reviewed journal to ensure equitable access and present at relevant conferences. Webinars will be used to achieve a wide audience. The results will be shared with the research participants via an infographic which will be designed and developed with the public research partners.

Study registration

Integrative review is registered at the Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/CEXNR

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

Harnessing the expertise of patients, therapists and stakeholders, this mixed methods study will develop and pilot a Competency Assessment Tool for therapists managing adults with blunt chest trauma.

The use of questionnaires and elicitation interviews in the pilot study will facilitate an indepth exploration of therapist acceptability of the new tool.

The new tool will potentially lead to improved standardisation of care for patients with blunt chest trauma.

The integrative narrative review will potentially be limited by a lack of published research focussed on therapy for patients with blunt chest trauma.

Ensuring content validity of the tool could be challenging, due to the wide inclusion criteria of the proposed tool.