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Research and Training Opportunities

At your service...

The WCRC offers unique research and training opportunities for a wide variety of health workers including doctors, nurses, therapists (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists), social workers, etc.

The WCRC offers the following Research and Training opportunities:

Nursing school
The WCRC Nursing School currently offers the R2175 course for enrolled nursing auxiliaries to enrolled nurses, as well as the R683 Bridging course for enrolled nurses to professional nurses. For more information, contact Ms. M Smit (ASD Nursing) at 021 370 2312/ mmsmit@pgwc.gov.za or Mrs. D. Jordaan at 021370 2300/ djordaan@pgwc.gov.za

Student placements
We offer placements for medical, nursing, physio-, occupational- and speech therapy under- and post graduate students. Students are offered the unique opportunity to experience the process of facilitating interdisciplinary rehabilitation programmes in an outcomes-based approach environment. Staff of the WCRC is committed to providing a fertile and dynamic learning environment.

As places are limited, requests should be forwarded by September of the preceding year to the following persons:

Student placement co-ordinators:
Physiotherapy: Janine White :021- 370 2478/ Jywhite@pgwc.gov.za
Occupational therapy: Andrea du Plessis :021 -370 2469/ aeduples@pgwc.gov.za
Social Work: Tertia McKee :021 -370 2372/ tmckee@pgwc.gov.za
Speech therapy: Shameema Hassiem: 021-3702420/ Shassiem@pgwc.gov.za
Medical students: Dr Helen Sammons: 021- 370 2300/ hsammons@pgwc.gov.za

Elective students from all over the world are welcome to do an elective clinical placement at the WCRC. They must contact the Head of the Institution, Jenny Hendry, at 021 370 2300/ jahendry@pgwc.gov.za

Short courses
WCRC offers a wide variety of post-basic rehabilitation related courses and workshops, for example: the three-week basic Bobath Course in the Management of Adult Hemiplegia and the one-week advanced Bobath Course. The specialised Seating Training modules are offered on an annual basis.
Enquiries for Seating training: Nelleke Bakkes @ wheelchairs@dareconsult.co.za;
Enquiries for Bobath Courses: bobath@dareconsult.co.za or Nelleke on 083 290 7049.

Modules in Rehabilitation for Community Rehabilitation Workers and Home Based Carers
The WCRC offers a three -hour module on the Management of Stroke and Weakened Patients. Others courses can be tailored to meet the training needs of specific groups. Enquiries: Alta Ferreira at (021) 3702347 or Alferrei@pgwc.gov.za

Research opportunities
The WCRC offers unique research opportunities for under- and postgraduate students in a wide variety of health and rehabilitation- related fields. Enquiries: Jenny Hendry at 021 370 2316 - Jahendry@pgwc.gov.za.



Training in Seating : What's on offer



Information_application_sheet_wheelchair_training.pdf
Advanced_Programme.pdf
Intermediate_Programme.pdf
Basic_Programme.pdf
Application_Basic_Bobath_2010.doc
Programme_Basic_Bobath_2010.pdf
Application Seating Courses 2010.doc

Videos

The following two videos illustrate the differences in performance of
hybrid and rural wheelchairs when used on uneven urban and peri-urban
terrain compared to that of the Basic Folding frame wheelchair.   Note
how the larger front castors and rear wheels and the long wheelbase make
propelling easier.   Note how much more stable 3 wheelers are on rough,
uneven terrain compared to 4 wheelers.   The longer wheelbase of the
rural and hybrid wheelchairs limits the weight on the front castor and
prevents if from getting stuck.   As there is less weight on the front
castor, it is easier to lift the front wheels over obstacles / rough
terrain.  Users in the Basic Folding frame become dangerously unstable
and have to be able to wheelie and balance on their rear wheel to
negotiate this kind of terrain.

 Motivation World Made Wheelchair


Comparison Basic & Rural


In the following video, both users are seen using a basic folding frame
wheelchair and then repeating the same course in a more appropriate
wheelchair.     Consider the impact on function in the wheelchair by
looking at the impact of the following:
●   The longer the wheelbase, the less weight goes through the font
castor.  This makes the:
        o      Castor less likely to get stuck
        o      Wheelchair easier to push over uneven terrain.
●  This will compensate for users who do not have the skill to
wheelie
●  Adds to the anterior stability of the wheelchair, i.e. the user
does not get pivoted out of the wheelchair when the front castor gets
stuck.
●  Note how access to the rear wheels is restricted in basic folding
frame wheelchairs.
●  Note how the larger rear wheel on the active wheelchairs improves
mobility over rougher terrain.
●  Note how the heavier wheelchair restricts mobility in terms of the
ability to wheelie and speed going up hill and downhill.
●  Note how an appropriate wheelchair, which is well set-up, adds to
the freedom, confidence and enjoyment of the user.

 Childrens Wheelchair Ergonomics
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