Perceptions of power mobility use and safety within residential facilities.
BACKGROUND
Power wheelchairs enhance quality of life by enabling occupation, improving self-esteem and facilitating social interaction. Despite these benefits, the risks associated with power mobility use raise serious concerns in residential facilities.


OBJECTIVE
As there is no gold standard to assess when a client is unsafe, a two-phase study was conducted to develop client-centred guidelines for power mobility use.


METHODS
In the first phase of the study, presented here, 18 in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with a variety of stakeholders, including power mobility users, other residents, staff and family members.


RESULTS
A thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes: 1) the meaning of power mobility, 2) learning the rules of the road, 3) red flags: concerns about safety, and 4) solutions.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the importance of power mobility, safety measures need to address issues of mobility and safety for power mobility drivers and those around them.
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Rehabilitation Services, University of British Columbia Hospital. bmortens@interchange.ubc.ca
William B
WB
Mortenson
William C
WC
Miller
Jeanette
J
Boily
Barbara
B
Steele
Leslie
L
Odell
Erin M
EM
Crawford
Guylaine
G
Desharnais
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017751:Safety Management; D014910:Wheelchairs