Abandonment of assistive products: assessing abandonment levels and factors that impact on it

Purpose: To investigate the levels and factors that influence the abandonment of assistive products by users of a local reference rehabilitation center.

Methods: This observational study involved users who received services and assistive products provided by our center of rehabilitation. Users were identified using the records of the center and their responses about the abandonment were collected through face-to-face interviews.

Results: The abandonment level of assistive products was 19.38%. 83.5% of the users use at least one of the assistive products they have received. Rigid and folding frame wheelchairs, with and without postural support devices, as well as shower wheelchairs, presented the lowest abandonment levels, followed by canes and lower limb orthoses. Upper limb orthoses, Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis(KAFO), walkers, crutches and lower and upper limb prostheses all presented higher abandonment levels.

Conclusion: The simultaneous use of mutiple assistive products, users perception on the importance of using them, and completing the rehabilitation treatment were found to impact on the short and long-term use of products. The study offers inputs to decision making and planning for assistive technology provision in developing countries with regard to expected demand and service delivery.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Data about the abandonment of assistive products in Sao Paulo, Brazil, could assist informing decision making on provision and servicing of these products in similar settings.

• The strong correlation found between abandonment levels and the simultaneous use of multiple devices should be taken into account by health professionals when prescribing assistive products and providing guidance to users.

• The need for follow up on the use of assistive products after discharge from rehabilitation treatment becomes strikingly clear, as data show that completing treatment is significantly relevant when evaluating abandonment levels.

• As assistive products users’ perception about the importance of using these devices is shown to be significant in explaining abandonment, it is mandatory that health and rehabilitation professionals take it into account when providing guidance and training users.