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Published on: February 5, 2020
Clinicians' and Researchers' Perspectives on Manual Wheelchair Data Loggers
François Routhier1, Josiane Lettre2, William C Miller3
1Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Researchers and clinicians prioritize "distance traveled" when measuring manual wheelchair use with data loggers. While needs are similar, clinicians find reviewing data time-consuming.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Assistive Technology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Objective outcomes for manual wheelchair use are increasingly recorded using data loggers.
- A consensus on the most important outcomes to measure is lacking.
- Understanding user and clinician perspectives is crucial for data logger development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key outcomes for manual wheelchair use documentation.
- To survey researchers' and clinicians' perceptions of data logger importance and challenges.
- To inform the future development of data logging technology.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to researchers and clinicians in wheeled mobility.
- The survey was informed by a scoping review of relevant literature.
- Participants rated the importance of various objective outcomes and reported data logger challenges.
Main Results:
- "Distance traveled" was the most highly rated outcome by both researchers and clinicians.
- Significant differences emerged in the perceived importance of "pressure-relief activities," "seat pressure," and "acceleration."
- Researchers and clinicians reported similar challenges, but clinicians noted time constraints for data review.
Conclusions:
- "Distance traveled" is a primary outcome for manual wheelchair use monitoring.
- Divergent views on other outcomes necessitate further investigation.
- Addressing clinician time burdens is key to enhancing data logger utility in clinical settings.
