Comparison of Satisfaction Levels Among Users of Assistive Devices - a Mixed-methods Study

Assistive devices are medical devices designed to support the individuals functions and increase their activities. Assistive devices are of critical importance for the independence and participation of disabled individuals in society and are of increasing interest today. The use of assistive devices is a process consisting of different steps to increase the individuals participation in daily life activities.

Although assistive devices cannot completely eliminate disability, they can increase independence by reducing negative effects. There are many problems encountered in the selection of assistive devices. The problems encountered include the cost of the assistive device, the necessary application training, service delivery, environmental factors, age, gender, level of disability, and the type of device used. The success of assistive device rehabilitation is affected by many factors such as the duration and correct use of the device by the individual, their attitude towards the assistive device, their participation in treatment, and their expectations.

In low-income countries, disabled individuals have the right to access affordable, available assistive devices such as prosthetics and orthotic services according to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Prosthetic and orthotic services are limited in low-income countries. In order to improve mobility and ensure greater participation of people with physical disabilities and amputees in society, assistive devices should be increased and user satisfaction should be investigated. In todays prosthetic and orthotic field, low-cost devices need to be developed and the multi-faceted satisfaction of users needs to be evaluated in terms of improvements in rehabilitation programs. Test batteries are frequently preferred in the evaluation of user satisfaction in orthosis and prosthetic rehabilitation. Generally, surveys based on individuals; expectations, satisfaction, experiences during daily life and statements of the individual regarding their assistive device are preferred. When the literature is examined, it is seen that there are few studies evaluating the use of orthosis and prosthetic assistive devices in terms of patient satisfaction. The aim of this study is to investigate the multi-faceted satisfaction of individuals using assistive devices. Female/male individuals using upper extremity orthosis, lower extremity orthosis, trunk orthosis, lower or upper extremity prosthesis and/or assistive device will be included in the study on a voluntary basis. Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) survey is planned to be used for the evaluation of assistive technology user satisfaction, Orthotics and Prosthetics User's Survey (OPUS) is planned to be used for the evaluation of orthosis prosthesis user satisfaction.