Capturing the psychosocial impacts of falls from the perspectives of wheelchair users with spinal cord injury through photo-elicitation

Abstract

Falls have a significant psychosocial impact for some, but not all participants. Clinicians should explore whether and to what extent falls/fall risk have a lasting psychosocial impact, and work with individuals to create strategies that may reduce negative psychosocial impacts.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study highlighted that falls can have a significant psychosocial impact on the lives of some wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.Since a wheelchair user's concern of falls may change overtime, clinicians are encouraged to have ongoing dialogue about every wheelchair user's level of concern about falls.If a wheelchair user expresses a high concern of falls, clinicians are encouraged to provide appropriate supports and resources for individuals to continue engaging in meaningful activities.