Men's and women's perspectives on using a powered mobility device: benefits and societal challenges.
OBJECTIVE
To describe how men and women experience their use of powered wheelchairs (PW) and powered scooters (PS) in everyday occupations, in the home and in society at large.


METHODS
A qualitative research approach with focus-group methodology was used. Four focus groups were created, with men and women as well as PW and PS users in different groups. Applying a descriptive approach, data were analysed according to the principles described by Krueger.


RESULTS
Three categories emerged and revealed that even though use of PW and PS increased independence and enabled everyday occupations, participants struggled to be independent powered mobility device (PMD) users. They experienced many accessibility problems in dwellings and in society, described similarly by users of PW and PS. Men and women experienced their use of (PMD) differently, especially in relation to the service delivery process.


CONCLUSIONS
The study contributes with new knowledge on accessibility for PW and PS users and related service delivery processes, stating that gender differences regarding provision and training must be taken into account. Occupational therapists can contribute to an enhanced understanding of PMD users' challenges in person-environment-occupation transactions in the home and society, and thereby promote occupational justice for PMD users.
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
Cecilia
C
Pettersson
Susanne
S
Iwarsson
Ase
A
Brandt
Lizette
L
Norin
Eva
E
Månsson Lexell
D000368:Aged; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D014910:Wheelchairs
accessibility; environment; focus group; gender; powered scooter; powered wheelchair