Measuring wheelchair confidence among power wheelchair users: an adaptation of the WheelCon-M using focus groups and a think aloud process

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to adapt the WheelCon-M, an outcome measure used to assess confidence with manual wheelchair use, into a version that is applicable for power wheelchair users (WheelCon-P).

Methods: Adaptation of the WheelCon-M into the WheelCon-P occurred in two phases: (1) item modification was conducted using focus groups and (2) item refinement was done using a think aloud process. Results: The healthcare professionals (n = 12) were mostly female, mostly occupational therapists and practiced an average of 14 years. The power wheelchair users (n = 8) were 50% men with an average of 8 years of power wheelchair experience and a range of diagnoses. In phase 1, of the 63 WheelCon-M items, 6 remained the same, 18 were removed, 38 modified and 15 new items added to develop the WheelCon-P. In phase 2, 15 WheelCon-P items were refined. Conclusions: This study resulted in the modification of the WheelCon-M into the WheelCon-P, a 59-item, self-report outcome measure designed to assess confidence with power wheelchair use. The next step in the evolution of this promising new measure is the assessment of its measurement properties.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The WheelCon-P is a new outcome measure designed to assess confidence with power wheelchair use.

• This study suggests that the items in this measure will be interpreted as intended.

Keywords:

• Confidence
• focus groups
• instrument development
• outcome assessment
• think aloud
• wheelchair

Declaration of interest

The Canadian Institutes of Research is acknowledged for providing salary (W.C.M.) and scholarship support (P.W.R.). We certify that no party having a direct interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on us or on any organization with which we are associated and we certify that all financial and material support for this research are clearly identified in the title page of the manuscript. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.