Biomedical subjects

H Pain

Publications and source records attributed to H Pain.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Parents' and therapists' opinion on features that make a chair useful for a young disabled child.

Children who fail to develop postural skills within a normal time scale are prescribed special seating to position them appropriately. For children to derive benefit from such seating, they must use it at home as well as in therapy sessions. A study was undertaken to explore the opinions of therapists and parents concerning the effectiveness and acceptability of a sample of special seating available on the UK market for young children. Each of the ten chairs selected to represent the range of possible styles and features was tested by 12 or 16 children in their homes (total sample of 40) for a week each, and four therapy centres for a fortnight each. Results obtained from these two populations were compared to determine whether chair features considered useful differed when used in a therapy centre or family home. Parents' rating for overall usefulness was affected by their perception of the child's comfort, as well as the child's posture, the level of support the chair offered, and other factors. Therapists' response, in contrast, seemed to be mainly influenced by the quality of posture children achieved in the chair.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Coping with a child with disabilities from the parents' perspective: the function of information.

Fifteen semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 parents (n = 5 with both parents; n = 10 with mother only) of disabled children who had a range of physical and learning difficulties, to explore what information they had received about their child's disabilities, from whom and whether they had found it useful. Information needs were also explored. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, then analysed for content. The reasons for needing the information was examined for themes. Personal communication was the most frequently cited medium of information. Parents most frequently reported professionals as their source of information, but parents and voluntary organizations were also mentioned. Information was found to assist the process of adjusting emotionally to their child's disabilities, to enable parents to access services and benefits, and to improve their management of their child's behaviour. Parents' comments indicated that information was usually useful, but occasionally of mixed benefit.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1998

Providing appropriate information to patients and carers following a stroke.

This paper reports on a study which sought to identify the information needs of patients and their informal carers at various stages post-stroke with the aim of developing a database from which individualized information packages could be provided. The study used in-depth qualitative interviews with a total of 31 interviewees (both patients and carers) to explore information needs at three different points post-stroke: during hospitalization; up to 1 month post-discharge; and 2-12 months post-discharge. The information needs identified related to: recovery, treatment and prognosis; practical caring tasks; social activities; and resources available in the community. The study indicated that the information needs of patients and carers following stroke are not currently met and a desire for individualized information was identified. It is concluded that it may not be possible to meet patients' and carers' desire for information about recovery and prognosis but that a customized database covering the other areas highlighted by this study would facilitate improved information provision. It is anticipated that the process of providing such packages would improve communication within the rehabilitation team.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Choosing a commode for the ward environment.

The choice of appropriate equipment to promote patient independence and enhance nursing care is of major concern to the nurse in the ward environment. This article reports on a recent evaluation of specialist commodes, (Ballinger et al, 1994), with reference to the programme funded by the Medical Devices Agency, Department of Health, under whose auspices the project was carried out. The results of user evaluations and technical tests of six mobile commodes are presented, the preferred model being the Mayfair commode supplied by Carters (J&A) Ltd. The article concludes by identifying a number of important considerations to bear in mind when selecting a commode.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multi-adjustable chairs for children with disabilities.

There is a growing demand that severely disabled children should be offered a normal-looking, comfortable alternative to highly supportive wheelchair seating to facilitate relaxation and social integration. An evaluation of five chairs, funded by Medical Devices Agency, an executive agency of the Department of Health, was undertaken with potential and actual users of these chairs to investigate the chairs' function with respect to the child's posture, and what features were effective. Twenty-nine children tried five chairs for up to 30 min in each; and a postal survey received 100 responses. The chairs seem to meet many users' postural needs (78% of postal survey; 31-72% of short-term evaluation depending on chair); the chairs' adjustability and availability of special features are important in meeting the needs of this user group; evidence of poor design and its implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗