Providing paediatric power wheelchairs in the USA then and now: a survey of providers

Abstract

Aims: To explore and describe current practices in the USA related to the provision of paediatric power wheelchairs (PWCs) from the perspective of professionals involved in recommending, ordering or prescribing a PWC, and to compare and contrast current PWC practices to findings of a 2001 survey.

Materials and methods: This descriptive study utilized a web-based survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data related to paediatric PWC evaluation activities, recommendations, decision-making considerations and other issues related to the provision of paediatric PWCs.

Results: Both child and non-child related PWC evaluation activities were reported as frequently occurring and important. Recommendations for a child who was evaluated for a PWC but who was not endorsed to receive one included extended PWC practice and determining a child’s mobility prognosis. The average age of the youngest child for whom respondents had recommended a PWC was 3 years, 3.56 months. Significant differences between the responses to this 2018 survey and a 2001 survey were found suggesting possible changes in practice pertaining to PWC evaluation activities as well as to recommendations for a child who is not endorsed to receive a PWC.

Conclusions: Findings of the current survey suggest that barriers exist to a child, especially a younger child, obtaining a PWC.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Findings of the current (2018) survey suggest that barriers exist to a child obtaining a PWC.

• Respondents reported that the primary reasons for not recommending a paediatric PWC included cognitive, physical and behavioural factors.

• Respondents reported that the primary reasons a paediatric PWC was not obtained for a child who qualified to receive a PWC related to family support, transportation and home environment.

• Differences between responses to 2018 survey and the 2001 survey indicate changes in practice.

Keywords:

• Paediatric power wheelchairs
• paediatrics
• survey methods
• providers’ perspectives
• providers’ practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest was reported by the authors.