title: User involvement in service delivery predicts outcomes of assistive technology use: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge about the relation between user involvement in the provision of assistive technology and outcomes of assistive technology use is a prerequisite for the development of efficient service delivery strategies. However, current knowledge is limited, particularly from low-income countries where affordability is an issue. The objective was therefore to explore the relation between outcomes of assistive technology use and user involvement in the service delivery process in Bangladesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using structured interviews, data from 136 users of hearing aids and 149 users of manual wheelchairs were collected. Outcomes were measured using the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), which was adapted for wheelchair users. Predictors of user involvement included preference, measurement and training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Users reported outcomes comparable to those found in other high- and low-income countries. User involvement increased the likelihood for reporting better outcomes except for measurement among hearing aid users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support the provision of assistive technology as a strategy to improve the participation of people with disabilities in society. They also support current policies and guidelines for user-involvement in the service delivery process. Simplified strategies for provision of hearing aids may be explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. johan@propempo.se
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: Per-Olof
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Ostergren
authors.forename: A S M Atiqur
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Nazmul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bari
authors.forename: A H M Noman
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014600:Utilization Review; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*