How to Evaluate Recreation Therapy Training Sessions: Using the Kirkpatrick Model

The purpose of this study was aimed at recreation therapists’ knowledge competency as it relates to the job task by asking the following question: To what extent does a recreation therapy conference help to enhance recreation therapists’ ability to work with their specialized population? Research design, data and methodology: Th e population of this research were recreational therapy professionals who works in the RT field in the United States and have attended the RT (Recreation Therapy) Institute. The survey questions in this study were based on a study by Yoon, Shin, Bouphavanh, & Kang (2016) where they developed a training program and wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program using the Kirkpatrick model. A ll of the responses were entered into the Statistical Package for t he Social Sciences (SPSS) to be analyzed. Results: The result of this study indicated that the RT Institute provides satisfactory level of presenters, sessions and conference organizations . However , the level of satisfaction with the knowledge based content needs improvement Conclusion: The RT Institute should consider providing the most essential training that are knowledge based contents at the conference for the attendees. By doing so , the level of the attendees’ loyalty to the conference and training sessions will increase which result in better learning experience .