Background/Aims: The international Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) consensus-based statements recommend standardised training of trials assessors in administration of outcome assessments as an important health and research priority to enable data sharing and pooling. Learning outcome assessments from theory and manuals alone can result in poor inter-rater reliability and lack of assessment fidelity. Interactive, multimodal competency training that involves assessment of real patients has historically been a resource, labour and cost intensive process. An accessible, centralised and standardised training and assessment resource is required to bridge this gap. The aim is to deliver a technology-enabled digital platform to provide internationally accessible annual competency training in stroke rehabilitation behavioural outcome assessments.
Methods: A team of nine clinicians, trial design and technology-enabled training experts formed a working group to develop this platform. Outcome measures were selected to align with the SRRR consensus-based recommendations. Technical requirements of the platform for international clinical trial accessibility were identified. Consensus was reached regarding assessment administration, protocols and competency training procedures.
Results: The platform will provide self-paced interactive training modules for seven stroke rehabilitation behavioural outcome assessments. Clinicians will receive certification following successful video assessment and automated scoring of two stroke survivors. Eight stroke survivors assessment videos will be available to score to enable variation for testing re-attempts and annual recertification.
Conclusion: Reliable results for stroke research internationally can be achieved with standardised training of stroke clinicians in outcome measurement. Increased confidence in trial findings may enhance uptake of efficacious research and ultimately improve patient care.