The Development of an Interview Questionnaire and Guide for the Sustainable Use of Assistive Devices among the Disabled in Korea

Abstract

Assistive device use has increased in recent years in Korea following the expansion of disability categories, increase in acquired disabilities, and an aging society. Although assistive devices can improve the quality of life by aiding social participation and removing physical restrictions, some devices are simply not used after users receive them via public distribution projects. Understanding assistive device usage after distribution is crucial to improve their service and supported products by disability type. This study constructed an interview questionnaire and interview guide for investigating the reason for (not) using the assistive device, and the necessity of assistive devices according to time point after disability. The aim was to establish a foundation for accumulating systematic and in-depth data. The interview questionnaire was developed primarily for frequent device users across 15 physical disability types. The terms used in the questionnaire were systematically defined, and interview items were derived based on assistive device-related questionnaires from the extant literature. The final interview questionnaire and guide were then refined after pilot test (N = 4) and expert (N = 2) consultations. The data accumulated by utilizing the interview questionnaire and interview guide developed in this study can improve the service support system for assistive devices by disability type and improvements by assistive devices in the future. This can help improve users’ quality of life by providing a more appropriate and enhanced assistive device.