| The process of acquiring a replacement wheelchair is a complex task for the two million American who use them. The process occurs only about every five years and varies due to the highly individualized process of matching individual needs and product features, the constant arrival of new products, and changes in reimbursement practices. The optimal outcome requires both informed clients and professionals committed to client-centered consultative models of service delivery. This quasi-experimental research study describes factors related to wheelchair decision-making and the effects of exposure to WheelchairNet, a website designed to inform consumers, clinicians and others regarding wheelchair use. Study participants had non progressive impairments as verified by their primary care physician that required use of a wheelchair as a primary means of mobility. They expected to replace their wheelchair within 2 years, had access to the Internet and used it at least once per week. Participants were divided into local and national groups based on Zip Code and then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Pretest measures collected demographics, data on adaptive strategies, daily living goals, health locus of control, self-assessed wheeled mobility knowledge and desire for specific attributes in a next wheelchair. The experimental group used WheelchairNet for 6 weeks and data was collected on the frequency and duration of visits. The control group abstained from browsing the WWW on the topic of wheelchairs. At the end of 6 weeks, pretest measures were repeated along with an assessment of readiness to participate in wheelchair decision-making. Comparisons were made between experimental/control and local/national groups. Significant findings were: an increase in self assessed wheeled mobility knowledge, higher powerful others health locus of control in the regional group, an increased frequency in rating the WWW as a helpful source of information, and a correlation between online resources used and increased knowledge. |
