You play an important role in ensuring your clients have the right equipment that’s fitted best to their needs, their conditions and their lifestyle. The Permobil Academy exists to give you the support and guidance you need to be the best possible resource for your clients. In addition to the courses offered below we can tailor learning modules on topics you need.
In person or online training is available. Contact Rachel for more information email Rachel.Maher@permobil.com or Tel 021 246 1099
Introduction to Power Mobility
This workshop provides an introduction to power wheelchairs – what we need to consider in our assessment, what the differences are between the different drive wheel configurations and an overview of power seat functions.
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
Introduction to Scripted Manual Wheelchairs
This presentation / workshop provides an introduction to scripted manual wheelchairs – who may benefit from a scripted manual chair, how we measure for a scripted chair and what factors influence efficiency of self-propelling.
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
Introduction to Seating and Positioning: Part 1
This workshop provides an introduction to seating and positioning – looking at where to start with your assessment, how to identify any musculoskeletal changes and how these changes may impact on a person’s seating and positioning requirements.
This workshop will include an introduction to the MAT (Mechanical Assessment Tool) assessment and how the MAT can assist with product selection.
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
Introduction to Seating and Positioning: Part 2
This workshop will focus on assessment of the pelvis and spine, how to identify reducible and non-reducible changes and how some of these changes may be managed with use of seating products.
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
With complex manual wheelchairs we have a number of options – aluminium, titanium or carbon fibre frame materials with mono-tube or dual-tube design, how do we know which options are going to best meet a person’s needs?
In this presentation will explore the different frame materials used in manufacturing and the qualities that each material offers, such as durability and vibration dampening. We will explore the different design features of complex manual wheelchairs and the impact this has on the end users, including the addition of accessories.
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
Material Matters: The Substance and Design of Complex Power Wheelchairs
Course Description:
Power wheelchairs are a complex piece of equipment, made up of multiple components that each influence the overall performance of the chair. As clinicians, we are typically taught how to manage the power wheelchair user’s needs, but not so much about power wheelchair itself – this can make it challenging to identify what features we need a power wheelchair to have and hence identify which chair we would like to trial.
This intermediate level webinar looks in depth into the crucial components of power wheelchairs and the clinical significance of these.
We will discuss power wheelchair components such as:
The design of a back support or cushion and the materials that are used to fabricate it have a direct impact on how well it will meet a person’s postural support and pressure care needs, understanding these features can help us identify which product will best meet a person’s needs.
This one-hour session will look at the materials used to fabricate back supports and cushions and what impact these have on the end user, helping to gain a better understanding of how to match strategies for pressure management and postural stability, client presentation and product performance characteristics.
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
Maximising Mischief: Mobility Options for Children and Young People
Course Overview:
They say that play is the work of children, however some children do not have sufficient mobility to engage in play opportunities easily. Children require access to self-directed mobility to optimise their cognitive, perceptual, social and motor development, with access to the right mobility device being essential to achieving this.
This workshop will cover mobility considerations for toddlers aged from one year, pre-schoolers and school aged children. Content covered includes:
Powering Up: Successful Use of Power Assist Devices
Course Overview:
Power assist devices are a useful option for manual wheelchair users to maximise their mobility in and around their home and out in the community. However, there are now a number of power assist options available in the New Zealand market, and how do we identify which option will best meet a person’s needs?
In this workshop we will look at the different power assist options, exploring the benefits and challenges of each. We will work through what information is needed from an assessment, potential clinical reasoning strategies and how this relates to identifying the most appropriate device for trial. As part of this process, we will also explore when a power wheelchair may be considered more appropriate than a power assist device.
This workshop also includes a practical component with hands on time with the Permobil range of power assist devices.
Pressure Injuries: What do we need to know when prescribing wheelchair and seating?
Course Overview:
Do you consider a person’s risk of pressure injury when prescribing wheelchair and seating products? Are you aware of the risk factors that further increase a person’s risk?
This workshop looks at the NPIAP Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline 2019 and how these recommendations relate to wheelchair and seating prescription. We will review what factors increase a person’s risk of developing a pressure injury, the different types of support surfaces available and how we may apply these.
This workshop will finish with hands on time with a range of different support surfaces, with a particular focus on ROHO products.
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
Course Overview:
Wheelchair and seating needs for older adults can differ from the general population due to changes associated with aging or other health issues. These changes can further exacerbate mobility and safety issues, impacting on what solutions may be appropriate and what training needs to be provided.
This course will provide an overview of seating and mobility considerations for this population, including common presentations such as Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) and amputees. We will review what wheelchair skills training techniques can be used to promote effective and safe use of the device, and to ensure the person (and potential caregivers) have a good understanding of their equipment. This will include strategies for optimal outcomes in seating, driving, and power seat function utilisation.
Clinical evidence and case examples will be utilised to demonstrate best practice for seating and mobility solutions for this population. A variety of client presentations and equipment choices will be discussed, highlighting the process leading to equipment recommendation, justification, and training by the team.
The Why and How of Modular Seating Options
Course Overview:
Providing seating for people with non-reducible musculoskeletal changes can be a challenge. Do we customise a standard ‘off the shelf’ option? Or do we look at a modular option? When do we need to consider custom fabrication?
We will explore the benefits and challenges of these different seating options, including what product features to look for when selecting items to trial.
The workshop will explore seating options for those with more challenging postural support needs, such as: