ABSTRACT

The opinions of cognitively intact current wheelchair users and their professional caregivers were solicited to explore acceptability of the concept of a passive electric wheelchair-mounted movement monitor to track driving safety and cognitive impairment. Two focus groups of electric wheelchair users (N = 9), and two focus groups of staff caregivers (N = 8) were conducted at a congregate care facility. Participants also completed a questionnaire examining their perceptions of the concept. The results indicated most wheelchair users and staff caregivers were receptive to the idea of a passive safety monitoring system for wheelchairs to detect cognitive impairment. Three main and interrelated themes emerged regarding how the device could promote safety, how such a system might infringe upon the users’ autonomy, and how and to whom the cognitive state information should be communicated. Legal, training, and marketing issues reflected similar concerns over balancing autonomy with safety issues. If successfully addressed, it appears there would be support for the device’s use not only for older adults in institutional settings, but perhaps also among community living younger and older adults. A passive safety monitoring system for wheelchairs is acceptable to wheelchair users and can be successfully marketed if developers balance autonomy and safety concerns.

摘要

征求认知完整的当前轮椅使用者及其专业护理人员的意见，以探索安装在轮椅上的被动式电动运动监测器以跟踪驾驶安全和认知障碍这一概念的可接受性。两个电动轮椅使用者焦点小组（N = 9）和两个工作人员护理人员焦点小组（N = 8）在一个集体护理机构进行。参与者还完成了一份调查问卷，检查他们对这个概念的看法。结果表明，大多数轮椅使用者和工作人员护理人员接受轮椅被动安全监测系统以检测认知障碍的想法。出现了三个主要且相互关联的主题，即设备如何提高安全性，这样的系统如何侵犯用户的自主权，以及认知状态信息应该如何以及向谁传达。法律、培训和营销问题反映了对平衡自主权与安全问题的类似担忧。如果成功解决，该设备的使用似乎不仅适用于机构环境中的老年人，而且可能也适用于社区生活的年轻人和老年人。轮椅的被动安全监控系统是轮椅使用者可以接受的，并且如果开发商平衡自主性和安全问题，它就可以成功上市。但也许也在社区生活的年轻人和老年人中。轮椅的被动安全监控系统是轮椅使用者可以接受的，并且如果开发商平衡自主性和安全问题，它就可以成功上市。但也许也在社区生活的年轻人和老年人中。轮椅的被动安全监控系统是轮椅使用者可以接受的，并且如果开发商平衡自主性和安全问题，它就可以成功上市。