title: Medical equipment use in children with disabilities: A descriptive survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of medical equipment by children with disabilities, the reasons for use, and prescribers of equipment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Referral clinic for children with developmental conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Caregivers of children with motor disabilities completed an interview survey for children 0-21 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  108 parents/caregivers reported 467 (mean=4.3 per patient) pieces of owned equipment. The mean age of children was 7.1 years (± 5.0), and 49% were female. The most common diagnoses were cerebral palsy (45%), 'Other' diagnoses including intellectual disability (19%), genetic abnormality (13%), spina bifida (13%), and neuromuscular diseases (7%). Survey participants described use of the following types of equipment: orthotics (82%), bath chair (37%), seating device (34%), stander (19%), augmentative communication devices (17%), walker (14%), and gait trainer (10%). Reasons for "non-use" of equipment included: outgrown (19%), not useful (14%), and child refusal (15%). Physicians were the sole prescriber for 15% of families, whereas physical or occupational therapists most commonly recommended new equipment (76%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on parental report, children with neuromuscular disabilities use most equipment that is medically recommended. The majority of equipment needs are identified by therapists. Pediatricians can benefit from additional expertise in the provision of medical equipment for children.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Pediatrics, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Dawn E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Peredo
authors.forename: Beth Ellen
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Norvell
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Kelly