Authors' objectives:

This report assesses the advisability of adding mid-wheel drive powered wheelchairs (MWDs) to the list of insured devices and to recommend specific eligibility requirements for potential users.

Authors' recommendations: The analysis we conducted revealed that powered wheelchairs were generally unreliable in the United States during the last decade. This problem led to the enactment of laws commonly known as wheelchair lemon laws. Their primary goal was to oblige wheelchair manufacturers and dealers to fulfill their repair or replacement warranties, and to do so within a reasonable amount of time. Although this situation is not directly applicable to Quebec, it does alert us to the need for caution in managing our fleet of powered wheelchairs. Although rather limited, the comparative data that we did find allow us to conclude that MWDs apparently perform as well as conventional powered wheelchairs. As a general rule, some of the characteristics of MWDs are as good as or even superior to those of rear-wheel drives (RWDs) and front-wheel drives (FWDs), especially their shorter turning radius and narrower turning space. They also seem to be reasonably priced. On the other hand, we found no studies detailing specific eligibility requirements for users of these wheelchairs. In light of this analysis, AETMIS recommends that Regie de l'Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ) add MWDs to the list of insured mobility products, provided that it can be verified that they comply with standards, which should also be the case for any other type of powered wheelchair. Furthermore, with respect to performing such standards testing, it would be advisable to provide for both operational and financial partnership or collaborative agreements among all the parties concerned. In submitting this report, AETMIS hopes to provide RAMQ with information that will help it administer its mobility-aid program for people with physical disabilities. This information should also help health-care professionals in Quebec offer services that best meet the specific needs of those requiring powered wheelchairs.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.aetmis.gouv.qc.ca/

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé

Contact Address: 2021, avenue Union, Bureau 10.083,Montreal, Quebec H3A S29, Canada.Tel: +1 514 873 2563; Fax: +1 514 873 1369

Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Copyright: Agence d'Evaluation des Technologies et des Modes d'Intervention en Sante (AETMIS)