title: An observational study of powered wheelchair provision in Italy.
abstract: Powered wheelchairs are complex and expensive assistive devices that must be selected and configured on the basis of individual user needs, lifestyle, motivation, driving ability, and environment. Providing agencies often require evidence that their financial investment will lead to a successful outcome. The authors surveyed a sample of 79 users who had obtained powered wheelchairs from a Regional Health Service in Italy in the period 2008-2013. Follow-up interviews were conducted at the users' homes in order to collect information about wheelchair use, and its effectiveness, usefulness, and economic impact. The instruments used in the interviews included an introductory questionnaire, QUEST (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology), PIADS (Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale), FABS/M (Facilitators and Barriers Survey/Mobility), and SCAI (Siva Cost Analysis Instrument). The results indicated positive outcomes, especially in relation to user satisfaction and psychosocial impact. A number of barriers were identified in various settings that sometimes restrict user mobility, and suggest corrective actions. The provision of a powered wheelchair generated considerable savings in social costs for most users: an average of about $38,000 per person over a projected 5-year period was estimated by comparing the cost of the intervention with that of non-intervention.
authors.affiliation: a Centro per l'Innovazione e il Trasferimento Tecnologico , IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi , Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salatino
authors.affiliation: a Centro per l'Innovazione e il Trasferimento Tecnologico , IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi , Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andrich
authors.affiliation: b Servizio DAT (Domotica, ausili, Terapia Occupazionale) , IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi , Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Converti
authors.affiliation: b Servizio DAT (Domotica, ausili, Terapia Occupazionale) , IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi , Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saruggia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: assistive technology; cost-effectiveness; follow-up; outcome assessment; powered wheelchairs