MECHANICAL ASSESSMENT TOOL (MAT) EVALUATION & COMPLEX SEATING PRINCIPLES
FOR COMPLEX REHABILITATION HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
5.5 AHPRA CPD HOURS
$35 with morning tea, lunch and continuous tea and coffee included
Kindly hosted at Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs
Aidacare Healthcare Equipment, Melbourne
Mechanical Assessment Tool (MAT) Evaluation & Complex Seating Principles
A comprehensive and practical training session for health professionals working in complex rehabilitation. This session provides applicable concepts for anyone involved in the assessment as well as the prescription of seating and positioning technology.
Theory component
- Basics of the MAT Evaluation
- Why the MAT Ax is KEY
- Where to start and what to record including pictures, body measurements, and anthropometric measurements
- Key bony land marks
- Where to find them
- How to find them
- Why they are important
- How to record your measurements on the MAT evaluation form including obliquity, wind sweeping direction and rotation direction.
- New terminology and why it’s now being used
Practical component
- “Hands-on” practice using the MAT Evaluation form
Complex seating principles and why we use moulded seating
Topics to be covered:
1. Off-the-shelf seating systems vs moulded seating systems:
- Basic option examples
- Differentiating factors
- When you would choose one over the other
2. Advantages and limitations of “off-the-shelf seating systems”
3. Advantages of moulded seating systems, including:
- When these systems are most beneficial
- Postural support
- Pressure redistribution
Agenda:
9:15 am – Registration
9:30 am – Overview (Morning tea on tables)
9:45 am – MAT Evaluation – Astrid (presenter):
- Theory
- Practical
12:00pm – Lunch break
12:45pm – Complex Seating principles -Andy (presenter)
2:45pm – Afternoon break
3:00pm – Case Studies
4:00pm – Finish
PRESENTERS
Andy Harborne
Rehabilitation Engineer
Aidacare Complex Rehabilitation Equipment Specialist (Thomastown)
Andy started his career in Mechanical Engineering before a move into Biomedical Engineering in the NHS UK in 1989. During this time Andy developed a keen interest in assistive technology and upon completion of an undergraduate certificate in Rehabilitation Engineering he transferred across to Rehabilitation Engineering at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre where he managed the Posture and Mobility Seating Clinic.
Working within multidisciplinary teams including Consultants in Rehab medicine, Physio, Occupational and Speech & Language therapists and orthotists Andy gained a wealth of experience in the field. In 2007 Andy moved to Australia with his young family and settled into a role with Aidacare. Along with his experience and unique skill set Andy approaches equipment provision in a holistic way with a keen focus on client outcomes.
Astrid van den Berg
Occupational Therapist and Wheelchair and Seating Specialist
Aidacare Complex Rehabilitation Equipment Specialist (Geelong)
Astrid is a New Zealand qualified Occupational Therapist with a Post Graduate level 2 Wheelchair and Seating accreditation. Astrid worked as Wheelchair and Seating Specialist for six years in New Zealand and prior to joining the Complex Rehab Team at Aidacare, worked with NDIS, DVA, TAC and HCP clients in Geelong
Astrid is experienced with using the MAT evaluation to support complex wheelchair and seating interventions across all ages and conditions. She is aware of the process required by AHPs to provide sound clinical reasoning for applications for Assistive Technology. Astrid provides a holistic approach that includes OT Models and Frames of Reference applicable to complex seating and positioning and considers EBP and Functional Outcomes.
In addition to providing Complex Rehab support to AHPs and clients within Geelong and surrounds, Astrid also provides regular CASE services to Mildura and Broken Hill.
