Assessing Women Veterans" Needs for Mobility Devices

在退伍军人协会服务的女退伍军人人数有了显著增长， 退伍军人健康管理局（VA）在过去30年，这一数字预计将 继续增长。需要移动设备的妇女人数（即，拐杖，步行器 由于受伤、疾病和衰老而使用轮椅、踏板车）的人数也有所增加。然而， 关于女性退伍军人对移动设备的需求。有一些有限的 女性关注设计、合身和舒适度，并希望获得更多的信息。 参与未来设备的开发。此外，公法114-223，2016年出版 特别指出，VA应确保拨出足够的研究资金， 专门针对女性退伍军人的假肢研究 该项目的目的是进行需求评估，以了解女退伍军人的需求， 移动设备方面的需求。我们的具体目标是： 1)确定需要/使用移动设备的女退伍军人， 与这些器械相关的需求、优先级、偏好和体验;以及 2)评估与女性退伍军人行动装置有关的需求和优先事项， 从关键VA利益相关者的角度确定的问题的可能解决方案。 这项研究将利用一项在线调查，以评估妇女退伍军人的机会，需要，优先事项， 移动设备的偏好和体验。所有携带行动装置的女退伍军人 将被邀请参加。一小群自愿参加的女性退伍军人也将完成 与项目工作人员进行更深入的访谈，以提供更详细的经验。结果将 与妇女健康、假肢、安全和 关于女性退伍军人的需求，障碍和可能的解决方案的康复将是 讨论其结果将是一套关于如何解决退伍军人妇女问题的建议。 与移动设备相关的需求。

There has been a significant growth in the number of women Veterans that are served by the Veterans Health Administration (VA) in the past 30 years, and this number is expected to continue to grow. The number of women who require mobility devices (i.e., canes, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters) due to injury, disease and aging has also increased. Yet, little is known about what needs women Veterans have related to mobility devices. There is some limited information that women have concerns about design, fit and comfort and would like to be more involved in the development of future devices. Further, Public Law 114-223, published in 2016 specifically noted that VA should ensure that sufficient research dollars are appropriated for prosthetic research specific to women Veterans. The purpose of this project is to conduct a needs assessment to learn about women Veterans’ needs regarding mobility devices. Our specific aims are to: 1) Identify women Veterans who require/use mobility devices to assess their access to, needs, priorities, preferences and experiences related to these devices; and 2) To assess needs and priorities related to mobility devices for women Veterans and possible solutions for the issues identified from the perspectives of key VA stakeholders. This study will utilize an on-line survey to assess women Veterans’ access, needs, priorities, preferences and experiences with mobility devices. All women Veterans with mobility devices will be invited to participate. A small group of women Veterans who volunteer will also complete more in-depth interviews with project staff to provide more detailed experiences. Results will be shared with key national VA stakeholders in women’s health, prosthetics, safety, and rehabilitation regarding women Veterans’ needs, barriers and possible solutions will be discussed. The result will be a set of recommendations on how to address women Veterans’ needs related to mobility devices.