Table 1 Topic guide for the focus groups
From: Assistive technologies after stroke: self-management or fending for yourself? A focus group study
Topics | |
|---|---|
All Groups | Can I begin by asking what your overriding thoughts were about what you saw at the workshop? |
What role do you think assistive devices should play in the rehabilitation of the hand and arm? Early after stroke when people are still in hospital? In the first few weeks and months after people go home? What about longer after stroke – say one or more years later? | |
Is there any other important information about the use of assistive technology in stroke rehabilitation that you think we should know? | |
Group 1 | I have been told that most of you here had not tried any of these technologies before attending the workshop, is that correct? (If anyone has used assistive technology, we asked them to briefly explain what kind of technology they used and what they thought about it) |
For those of you who have not used assistive technologies, is this because you have never been offered them in the past? If not offered we asked why do they think you have not been offered it? If offered we asked Why did you decide not to use it? | |
Group 2 | As a group of people who have used technologies to help with your arm rehabilitation what do you think are the main advantages to using such devices? What about the main disadvantages? |
Would some of you mind telling me about how you came to use an assistive technology? | |
If we could wave a magic wand and offer you any of the assistive technology devices you saw at the workshop which would it be and why? | |
Were there any devices you would not be keen to use and why? | |
Group 3 | What do you think are the main advantages of using assistive technology for the arm? |
Do you think there are any disadvantages of using assistive technology for the arm? | |
Why do you think assistive devices are not used more in arm treatment? | |
What opportunities do you see for using assistive technologies in arm treatment in the future | |
If you could wave a magic wand and select one assistive technology device for your relative to use, which would it be and why? | |
Which do you think would be least useful and why? | |
Group 4 | What do you think are the main opportunities or advantages of using assistive technology in upper limb rehab? |
Do you think there are any disadvantages to using assistive technology with the arm? | |
Which patients do you think assistive technologies are most useful for? | |
Are there any patients you would choose not to use assistive technologies with? | |
Why do you think assistive devices are not used more in upper limb? What opportunities do you see for using assistive technology in upper limb rehab in the future rehabilitation? | |
If you could wave a magic wand and select one assistive technology which you think would be appropriate for your patients and your service which would it be and why? Which do you think would be least useful and why? |