title: Development of a wheelchair skills home program for older adults using a participatory action design approach.
abstract: Restricted mobility is the most common impairment among older adults and a manual wheelchair is often prescribed to address these limitations. However, limited access to rehabilitation services results in older adults typically receiving little or no mobility training when they receive a wheelchair. As an alternative and novel approach, we developed a therapist-monitored wheelchair skills home training program delivered via a computer tablet. To optimize efficacy and adherence, principles of self-efficacy and adult learning theory were foundational in the program design. A participatory action design approach was used to engage older adult wheelchair users, care providers, and prescribing clinicians in an iterative design and development process. A series of prototypes were fabricated and revised, based on feedback from eight stakeholder focus groups, until a final version was ready for evaluation in a clinical trial. Stakeholder contributions affirmed and enhanced the foundational theoretical principles and provided validation of the final product for the target population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, T325-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5.
authors.forename: Edward M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Giesbrecht
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, T325-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 2B5.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of British Columbia, 2366 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, 89 Curry Place, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2.
authors.forename: Roberta L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Woodgate
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014910:Wheelchairs