SIRUMED©, software for wheelchair selection. A preliminary report

Abstract

Rehabilitation organizations have recognized that personal mobility plays a significant role in the lives of many people with disabilities. It has been estimated that the number of people with disabilities in developing countries who require wheelchairs is approximately 1% of the population. In Latin America medical insurance, socialized or private, does not prescribe nor provides wheelchairs, therefore the only way to acquire one is through charity or through direct purchase. This represents a major obstacle particularly if considering that the economic resources of the population with disabilities throughout this region are very limited. Given that they are not prescribed, wheelchair users receive minimal advice from clinical personnel and end up buying a device based on salesman recommendation. With the purpose of facilitating the provision of properly fitted wheelchairs for Latin America, a software program, to be used by clinical personnel, was developed. Two versions were developed, a PC stand-alone and a Web based version. Fifty recommendations were made and compared to experienced wheelchair manufacturer representatives. Software recommendations coincided with the manufacturer’s suggested sizing in 49/50 cases within +/- 1 cm. This paper presents the functions of the software and illustrates individual wheelchair recommendations. With this information, wheelchair users and their families can acquire a better fitted wheelchair for their patients.