6-hour Training in click-based echolocation changes practice in visual impairment professionals.
Lore Thaler, Giammarco Di Gregorio, Denise Foresteire
PMID 37284336WHAT IT FOUND
Most professionals who attended a 6-hour echolocation workshop reported changing how they work.
Nearly half said they now teach the skill to clients, while others adjusted their advice or awareness. No client outcomes were measured.
Key findings
01103 out of 105 respondents reported that the workshop affected their professional practice.
0246.6% of respondents reported changing how they provide instruction and training to others.
03The authors note that self-selection bias means the true effectiveness might be lower, potentially affecting only 51% of all attendees.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study relies on self-reported changes in professional practice, not observed behaviour or client outcomes. There is significant selection bias: only 105 of 201 attendees were analysed, and the authors admit non-respondents might have seen no benefit. The authors calculated that if all non-respondents had answered 'no', the true impact might be 51% of all attendees. No data was collected on whether the professionals actually taught echolocation to clients or if clients benefited.
Declared interests
The lead author was supported by grants from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council UK and the Economic and Social Research Council UK.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the 98% change rate applies to all professionals. The authors state that self-selection bias is likely, and the true proportion of attendees who changed practice could be as low as 51%.