Article

The aims of this study were to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance
Training Programme (WMTP) as a tool for clinicians to teach wheelchair users (and
caregivers when applicable) in a group setting to perform basic maintenance at
home in the USA and to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Questionnaire
(WMT-Q) to evaluate wheelchair maintenance knowledge in clinicians, manual and
power wheelchair users. METHODS: The WMTP and WMT-Q were developed through an iterative process. RESULTS: A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 17), manual
wheelchair (n infinity 5), power wheelchair users (n = 4) and caregivers (n = 4)
provided feedback on the training programme. A convenience sample of clinicians
(n = 38), manual wheelchair (n = 25), and power wheelchair users (n = 30)
answered the WMT-Q throughout different phases of development. The subscores of
the WMT-Q achieved a reliability that ranged between ICC(3,1) = 0.48 to ICC(3,1)
= 0.89. The WMTP and WMT-Q were implemented with 15 clinicians who received
in-person training in the USA using the materials developed and showed a
significant increase in all except one of the WMT-Q subscores after the WMTP (p <
0.007). CONCLUSION: The WMTP will continue to be revised as it is further
implemented. The WMT-Q is an acceptable instrument to measure pre- and
post-training maintenance knowledge. Implications for Rehabilitation The
Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program can be used to educate rehabilitation
clinicians and technicians to improve wheelchair service and delivery to end
users. This training complements the World Health Organization basic wheelchair
service curriculum, which only includes training of the clinicians, but does not
include detailed information to train wheelchair users and caregivers. This
training program offers a time efficient method for providing education to end
users in a group setting that may mitigate adverse consequences resulting from
wheelchair breakdown. This training program has significant potential for impact
among wheelchair users in areas where access to repair services is limited.

Langue : ANGLAIS