Fall 1999

Wheelchair Study Published

"Wheelchair Use Among Long-Term Care Residents," an original study by SFFPR Associate Director, Dr. Dave Brechtelsbauer and medical student, Angie Louie, has been published in the June edition of Annals of Long Term Care.

The article had its genesis during a summer internship Ms. Louie served under Dr. Brechtelsbauer’s direction in the summer of 1997. Angie spent long hours at the nursing home, observing and recording when wheelchairs were being used and nothing the apparent reasons for use. Her project was supported by a generous grant from the Good Samaritan Society Foundation. In addition to leading to a published article, the project served Ms. Louie in strengthening her application to the USDSM where she has just begun her sophomore year.

Dr. Brechtelsbauer reports that the article has attracted more interest and feedback than any he has published in the past, with letters responding from New York and Louisiana, as well as locally. The tone of the letters and comments suggests that the goal of encouraging physicians and others to be more thoughtful and careful relative to wheelchair use in long-term care residents might be achieved.