The Effect of Electrically Powered Indoor/Outdoor Wheelchairs on Occupation: A Study of Users' Views

Abstract

In 1996, the Government provided an allocation of money for National Health Service wheelchair services to issue severely disabled people with electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs). This funding was for 4 years only (NHS Executive 1996). Although further money for EPIOCs has been announced (NHS Executive and Department of Health 2000), it has not been ring fenced and could therefore be used in other ways. Evidence needs to be gathered in order to justify continued spending on EPIOC provision. To gather such evidence, this study explored the views of EPIOC users. A qualitative design (semi-structured interviews) examined the effect that EPIOC use had had on their occupations. Eight users were interviewed (mean age 55.5 years, range 39–76 years). The resulting descriptive data were content analysed. The data emerged in three sections. The main section contained four themes and indicated that EPIOC use provided a greater opportunity to participate in and control occupation. The other sections indicated how the EPIOC users had felt before and after provision. Negative feelings, such as depression, had changed to more positive feelings about themselves. The findings indicate that occupation was enhanced through EPIOC use. There is also a suggestion that this may have a positive effect on users' health. Further research is needed to discover whether the findings can be generalised to a wider population.