title: Living with an electric wheelchair--the user perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of using an electric wheelchair in daily living.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen participants, eight women and seven men, living in different parts of a Nordic country were interviewed. The interviews were conducted in the home or at the workplace. Open-ended questions were used. The data were collected and analyzed according to the grounded theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis resulted in one core category: "Integrating the electric wheelchair - a manifold process", describing a process commencing from initial resistance against use of an electric wheelchair, to acceptance with various extent of integration. Six categories emerged that represent this core process: incorporating the electric wheelchair into the self-identity process, calculating functional consequences, encountering the reactions of others, facing duality in movability, using proactive strategies, and being at the mercy of the system. Findings indicate that the integration process is complex and manifold. Practical, personal, and social dimensions were intertwined and significantly involved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integrating an electric wheelchair is a process closely connected to symbolic value, usability, community mobility and identity. These aspects should be considered in the production, prescription, and adaptation processes. Implications for Rehabilitation Integrating an electric wheelchair is a process closely connected to symbolic value, usability, community mobility, and identity. These aspects should be considered in the wheelchair production, prescription, and adaptation processes.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Community Medicine Rehabilitation , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden .
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stenberg
authors.affiliation: b Umeå Institute of Design, Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden .
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henje
authors.affiliation: c Division of Rehabilitation Medicine , and.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.affiliation: d Division of Occupational therapy, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindström
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Community mobility; daily life; embodiment; participation; qualitative research; social identity; wheelchair