Powerful or Powerless? Children's, Parents', and Occupational Therapists' Perceptions of Powered Mobility

Aim: In Québec, Canada, the prevalence of children using powered mobility (PM) is not reflective of evidence supporting its use and for achieving developmental milestones. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of four key stakeholder groups in a metropolitan area regarding daily use, barriers, facilitators, and clinical practice associated with use of PM. Methods: Using convenience sampling, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with children (n = 6), parents (n = 2), rehabilitation center occupational therapists (OTs; n = 4), and special needs school-based OTs (n = 6). Drawings were used as a supplemental data collection strategy with children. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim to conduct thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: (1) "A sense of liberty, except…", highlighting environmental obstacles reducing social participation; (2) "A necessity, for better or for worse," covering benefits and drawbacks of PM; and (3) "First choice versus last resort," raising clinical differences related to provision, assessment, and training. Conclusions: Stakeholders' perceptions illustrated benefits of PM, yet use is contingent on the physical, institutional, and societal environments, leading stakeholders to feel both powerful and powerless as users, parents, or clinicians.