title: Establishing user needs for a stability assessment tool to guide wheelchair prescription.
abstract: The WheelSense project aims to develop a system for assessing the stability and performance of wheelchairs through a user-centred design process. This study sought to capture user needs and define the specification for the system.
  
  
  
  A mixed methods approach was adopted. An online survey was completed by 98 participants working in wheelchair provision. The results were built upon through 10 semi-structured interviews and one focus group (n = 5) with professionals working in wheelchair provision in three NHS Trusts in the UK.
  
  
  
  The results provided a picture of the current UK practice in stability testing. Issues with the reliability and usefulness of the existing methods used to assess the stability and performance of wheelchairs were highlighted. Requirements for a new system were ascertained. These included improved accuracy of tipping angles, features to support record keeping, improved client/carer education support and ability to model or predict client-wheelchair system performance in different configurations.
  
  
  
  The paper concludes that there is a need for improved tools to determine the stability of the client-wheelchair system and support the prescription process, to ensure client safety and optimum equipment performance. A list of requirements has been produced to guide the future development of WheelSense. Implications for Rehabilitation The results of this survey and interview-based study present a picture of wheelchair stability testing practices in the UK, and highlight the need for new, more informative methods for guiding wheelchair prescription. The requirements for the design of a new system, or further development of existing tools to support the stability testing and prescription of wheelchairs have been established.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Industrial Design , Coventry University , Coventry , UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.affiliation: b Health Design & Technology Institute, Coventry University , Coventry , UK.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: b Health Design & Technology Institute, Coventry University , Coventry , UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fielden
authors.affiliation: c West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre , Birmingham , UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heelis
authors.affiliation: d Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation , London , UK , and.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dryer
authors.affiliation: e Glan Clwyd Hospital , Rhyl , UK.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shapcott
authors.affiliation: b Health Design & Technology Institute, Coventry University , Coventry , UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.affiliation: b Health Design & Technology Institute, Coventry University , Coventry , UK.
authors.forename: Dimitar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stefanov
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D061214:Patient Safety; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D006113:United Kingdom; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Stability testing; user-centred design; wheelchair prescription; wheelchair stability