title: Measuring wheelchair confidence among power wheelchair users: an adaptation of the WheelCon-M using focus groups and a think aloud process.
abstract: The aim of this study was to adapt the WheelCon-M, an outcome measure used to assess confidence with manual wheelchair use, into a version that is applicable for power wheelchair users (WheelCon-P).
  
  
  
  Adaptation of the WheelCon-M into the WheelCon-P occurred in two phases: (1) item modification was conducted using focus groups and (2) item refinement was done using a think aloud process.
  
  
  
  The healthcare professionals (n = 12) were mostly female, mostly occupational therapists and practiced an average of 14 years. The power wheelchair users (n = 8) were 50% men with an average of 8 years of power wheelchair experience and a range of diagnoses. In phase 1, of the 63 WheelCon-M items, 6 remained the same, 18 were removed, 38 modified and 15 new items added to develop the WheelCon-P. In phase 2, 15 WheelCon-P items were refined.
  
  
  
  This study resulted in the modification of the WheelCon-M into the WheelCon-P, a 59-item, self-report outcome measure designed to assess confidence with power wheelchair use. The next step in the evolution of this promising new measure is the assessment of its measurement properties. Implications for Rehabilitation The WheelCon-P is a new outcome measure designed to assess confidence with power wheelchair use. This study suggests that the items in this measure will be interpreted as intended.
authors.affiliation: a School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal , Montréal , QC , Canada.|b Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant, CHU Sainte-Justine , Montréal , QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Paula W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Rushton
authors.affiliation: c Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC , Canada , and.|d GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Program , Vancouver , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: c Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , BC , Canada , and.|d GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Program , Vancouver , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: d GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Program , Vancouver , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Confidence; focus groups; instrument development; outcome assessment; think aloud; wheelchair