Terje Sund

Documentation of and satisfaction with the service delivery process of electric powered scooters among adult users in different national contexts

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how different service delivery systems for assistive devices were associated with the service delivery process (SDP) and user satisfaction in two national contexts when electric powered scooters were provided. Method: The study had a follow-up design based on a consecutive inclusion of 50 Danish and 86 Norwegian adults as they were about to be provided a scooter. A study-specific structured questionnaire for documentation of the SDP was administered. The Satisfaction with Assistive Technology Services was used for documenting user satisfaction with the SDP. Besides descriptive statistics, regression analysis was used to identify contributors of variance and predictors of user satisfaction. Results: The various steps of the SDP were carried out to a various degree. Significantly more total time was spent in the SDP in the Danish sample (p < 0.001). About 80% of the informants were satisfied/very satisfied with different aspects of the SDP. Time spent in the different steps was not associated with user satisfaction with the SDP. Conclusion: This study supports the assumption that structure of the service impacts on the SDP, but not that the process impacts on outcomes in terms of user satisfaction with the SDP. It may, however, be questioned whether this actually is an outcome. Implications for Rehabilitation The structure of assistive technology services impacts on the service delivery process Complex regulations for assistive technology grants increases the time use for assessment and administration User satisfaction with the service delivery process may not be an outcome dimension in the sense that outcomes are effects on the lives of users and their environments, but rather a quality indicator and therefore an evidence for more or less successful service delivery processes

Effectiveness of Powered Mobility Devices in Enabling Community Mobility-Related Participation: A Prospective Study Among People With Mobility Restrictions

To investigate the effectiveness of powered mobility device (ie, powered wheelchair and scooter) interventions over a 1‐year period in Nordic countries.

Test–retest reliability and agreement of the Satisfaction with the Assistive Technology Services (SATS) instrument in two Nordic countries

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate test–retest reliability, agreement, internal consistency, and floor- and ceiling effects of the Danish and Finnish versions of the Satisfaction with the Assistive Technology Services (SATS) instrument among adult users of powered wheelchairs (PWCs) or powered scooters (scooters). Method: Test–retest design, two telephone interviews 7–18 days apart of 40 informants, with mean age of 67.5 (SD 13.09) years in the Danish; and 54 informants with mean age of 55.6 (SD 12.09) years in the Finnish sample. Results: The intra-class correlation coefficient varied between 0.57 and 0.93 for items in the Danish and between 0.41 and 0.93 in the Finnish sample. The percentage agreement varied between 54.2 and 79.5 for items in the Danish and between 69.2 and 81.1 in the Finnish sample, while the Cronbach’s alpha values varied between 0.87 and 0.96 in the two samples. A ceiling effect was found in all items of both samples. Conclusions: This study indicates that the SATS may be reliably administered for telephone interviews among adult PWC and scooter users, and give information about aspects of the service delivery process for quality development improvement purposes. Further psychometric testing of the SATS is required.

Adult Scandinavians’ use of powered scooters: user satisfaction, frequency of use, and prediction of daily use

Abstract Purpose: To investigate user satisfaction with characteristics of powered scooters (scooters), frequency of use, and factors predicting daily scooter use. Design: Cross-sectional. Sample: Adult scooter users (n = 59) in Denmark and Norway, mean age 74.5 (standard deviation 12.3) years. Methods: Structured face-to-face interviews. The NOMO 1.0, the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive devices (QUEST 2.0), and a study specific instrument were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were applied, and regression analyzes were used to investigate predictors for daily scooter use. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) served as a framework for classifying variables and guiding the investigation. Results: Satisfaction with the scooter characteristics was high with most participants being very satisfied or quite satisfied (66.1–91.5%). Most scooters were used daily (36.2%) or several times a week (50.0%). User satisfaction with safety of the scooter [odds ratio (OR) = 11.76, confidence interval (CI) = 1.70–81.28] and reduced balance (OR = 5.63, CI = 0.90–35.39) increased the likelihood of daily use, while reduced function in back and/or legs (OR = .04, CI = 0.00–0.75), tiredness (OR = .06, CI = 0.01–0.51), and increased age (OR = .93, CI = 0.87–1.00) reduced the likelihood of daily use. 52.8% of the variance was explained by these variables. Conclusions: User satisfaction was high, and most scooters were used frequently. User satisfaction with safety, specific functional limitations and age were predictors for daily scooter use. Implications for Rehabilitation Scooters seem to be a beneficial intervention for people with mobility impairment: user satisfaction and frequency of use are high. Users’ subjective feeling of safety should be secured in the service delivery process in order to support safe and frequent scooter use. Training of scooter skills should be considered in the service delivery process.

Psychometric properties of the NOMO 1.0 tested among adult powered-mobility users

Background. The Nordic Mobility Related Outcome Evaluation of Assistive Device Intervention (NOMO 1.0) instrument evaluates the effectiveness of mobility devices in assessing mobility-related participation, captured by three scales (Need for Assistance, Frequency, and Ease/Difficulty) and one index (Participation Repertoire). Purpose. This study aimed to investigate a range of psychometric properties of the NOMO 1.0 in a sample of adult powered mobility device (PMD) users. Method. Data collected from PMD users (N = 248) in Denmark, Finland, and Norway as part of a larger study were analyzed using state-of-the-art statistical methods. Findings. The acceptability and applicability of the NOMO 1.0 items were generally within recommended values. Some floor/ceiling effects were found and the reliability was acceptable for only the Frequency scale. The factor analysis identified one component for the Need for Assistance scale and six components of the Frequency scale. Implications. The NOMO 1.0 should be used for research purposes and not for clinical practice. Better reliability should be established for the Need for Assistance and Ease/Difficulty scales prior to further psychometric testing to establish the validity of the NOMO 1.0.

The relationship between the key elements of Donabedian's conceptual model within the field of assistive technology.

Previous research has suggested that there is a relationship between the three key components of Donabedians conceptual model for quality assessments: structure of care, process, and outcome of care. That is, structure predicted both process and outcome of care, and better processes predict better functional outcomes and user satisfaction. The results in this study involving samples of Danish and Norwegian scooter users indicate that structure predicts what goes on in the service delivery process. However, the results do not support that structural differences or differences in the service delivery process predict the outcomes of the scooter interventions.

Service delivery process of assistive devices and user satisfaction in two North European countries

The objective of the EVIDEM-EXERCISE study was to evaluatethe effectiveness of an exercise regime as a therapy for the behaviouraland psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). A pragmatic, ran-domized, controlled, single-blind, parallel-group trial of a dyadic exer-cise regime (tailored walking) for community-dwelling individuals withBPSD and their carers was undertaken. The primary outcome wasBehavioural and Psychological Symptoms as measured by the Neuro-Psychiatric Inventory at week 12. Results show no significant differ-ence of NPI score at week 12 between the group receiving the dyadicexercise regime and those that did not. Secondary outcome measure ofcaregiver’s burden was significantly improved; caregiver burden dou-bled by week 12 for the control group participants, but decreased forthose receiving the exercise intervention. In conclusion, this study foundthat regular simple exercise does not improve BPSD but did seem toattenuate changes of caregiver burden.Studies about intimacy in old age have mostly focused on institutionalized life-long marriages. Little research has focused on re-partnering in later life and the impact these relationships have on life satisfaction. Framed by Giddens’ Transformation of intimacy and Laslett’s Third age, as well as changing social and demographical conditions, this paper focuses on how different forms of new intimate relationships impact on life satisfaction in later life. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a strategic sample of 28 Swedes, 63–91 years, who were married, cohabiting and living apart together in new intimate heterosexual relationships initiated after the age of 60 or who were currently dating. The results showed the significance of new intimate relations the experience of life satisfaction in later life: The importance of being needed and confirmed by one’s partner, for intimacy and sexuality, for unloading children’s care responsibility, for sharing experiences in everyday life and for safety. The results also showed the importance of the partner as a resource for new experiences and a healthier life style. In conclusion, the results will be theorized in a time frame: First, in the light of new post (re)productive free time in the third age. Second, in the light of the finite remaining life-time. The results from the qualitative study will be contextualized by results from a representative survey on intimate relations among 3 000 60-90 year old Swedes (data collection has just finished).It is often argued that in late modernity sex has escaped its reproductive cage and people form pure relationships, based on mutual satisfaction. Ironically, although older people are per definitio ...