Article

A secondary analysis was performed on data from a recent time-motion
study documenting the type and duration of activities performed during the
provision of wheeled mobility and seating devices.
The objective of this analysis
was to report factors that were most associated with activities having extended
durations. METHOD: Activities were categorized as occurring during the
visit-preparation, pre-delivery, delivery or follow-up phases of equipment
provision. Extended activities were defined as activities at or exceeding the
75th percentile, corresponding to activities exceeding 37.5 min. Logistic
regression and Odd Ratio calculations were used to identify factors that were
associated with extended encounters with clients. RESULTS: Extended activities
were more likely to be associated with Group 4 power chairs, ultra-lightweight
wheelchairs and seating systems comprised of a combination of technologies, such
as those with postural supports or using made-to measure or custom-molded
techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Wheelchair and seating system type were more predictive
of extended activities compared to diagnostic categories. This result leads us to
posit that functional needs - rather than diagnosis - impacts the duration of
client encounters and the complexity of the equipment prescribed to the user. The
results also indicate that more complex equipment were more likely to require
extended encounters than less complex devices in their respective groupings.

Langue : ANGLAIS