Article

PURPOSE: To explore the individual experience of being a scooter user and the
ways in which scooters impact the individual's community and social engagement,
daily activities and enhances mobility. METHODS:
A qualitative, constructive
framework utilising purposive sampling and a semi structured interview was used
with 14 individuals. Questions were categorised according to the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework into the three
areas of activities, participation and environmental factors. RESULTS: The three
main themes identified through the research were knowledge, engagement and
environments. Knowledge included a lack of concise information, and adequate
trialling and training prior to purchase. Engagement consisted of participation
and interaction demonstrating scooter use resulted in increased participation,
role maintenance, choice, freedom and social interaction. Environments
highlighted discrimination from the wider population and building design and
barriers. CONCLUSIONS: The research demonstrated a strong positive impact on
individual's engagement from using a scooter, while highlighting a lack of
adequate knowledge about scooters, batteries, skill ability and design along with
environmental challenges of discriminatory attitudes and physical barriers. The
research indicates the need for pre-purchase assessments and trials along with
improvements in community attitudes and environments. IMPLICATIONS FOR
REHABILITATION: Development of a pre-purchase assessment including specific core
skills for scooter use is of great importance to minimise accidents and death as
a consequence of scooter driving. Education and training of prescribers and
suppliers of scooters is important to match needs and skills to enable a better
fit of scooter to user. Incorporation of adjustability of features within the
standard design of scooters, including type of driving controls, seat height, and
adjustment of distance to controls, will enable greater fit of scooter to the user s needs.

Langue : ANGLAIS