Inter- and Intra-Observer Reliability of the Iowa Level of Assistance Scale and the Effect of Staff Retraining

The study will be conducted among healthcare professionals of the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IOR). The Iowa Level of Assistance (ILoA) scale has been integrated into the institutional Care Pathways for patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty and for patients with femoral fractures, and it is routinely used by rehabilitation healthcare staff.

Retrospective Phase

Pre-training scale assessment To evaluate potential changes in the reliability of the ILoA scale, a retrospective control group will be constructed using video-based assessments that were previously collected as part of a monitoring activity. The procedures for video recording and ILoA scale administration used during this retrospective phase were comparable to those planned for the present study, allowing meaningful comparison of reliability indices.

Prospective Phase

Post-training scale assessment At least three months after completion of the retraining program, a new data collection phase will be conducted. All participating physiotherapists will be asked to independently score the ILoA scale for a group of patients who have undergone hip or knee arthroplasty or osteosynthesis, using standardized video recordings. Assessments will be performed anonymously by the observers.

To evaluate intra-observer reliability, the scoring procedure will be repeated on two separate occasions at least two weeks apart, using the same video recordings.

Inclusion criteria

• For Observers (Physiotherapists):

All physiotherapists working at the main Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IOR) site in Bologna or at the two satellite sites in Argenta and Bagheria.

Physiotherapists must have the role of observers in the study. All physiotherapists affiliated with the SAITeR service who have previously received initial training in the use of the ILoA scale; newly hired staff must have completed the specific training pathway.

For Patients:

Patients admitted to IOR Bologna or Argenta for whom administration of the ILoA scale is part of routine clinical practice.

Patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Patients undergoing revision hip or knee arthroplasty. Patients undergoing hip arthroplasty or osteosynthesis for femoral fracture.

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent (for both physiotherapists and patients).