Opening the GATE: systems thinking from the global assistive technology alliance.

This paper describes international actions to collaborate in the assistive technology (AT) arena and provides an update of programmes supporting AT globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies the severe global uneven distribution of resources, expertise and extensive unmet need for AT, as well the optimistic substantial capability for innovations and developments in appropriate and sustainable AT design, development and delivery. Systems thinking and market shaping are identified as means to address these challenges and leverage the ingenuity and expertise of AT stakeholders.

Development of a toolkit for educators of the wheelchair service provision process: the Seating and Mobility Academic Resource Toolkit (SMART).

Background: Insufficient wheelchair training among rehabilitation professionals has been identified as an important factor that hinders access to appropriate wheelchair services. The aim of this study was to develop a toolkit to promote the integration of wheelchair education into academic curricula of rehabilitation programs.

Methods: A participatory action research design was carried out in three phases: (1) development of the Initial and Alpha Versions involving secondary analyses of surveys (n = 72), interviews (n = 14), and academic training partners meeting presentations (n = 16); (2) development of the Beta Version based on feedback from collaborators (n = 21); and (3) development of the Launch Version based on feedback from participants attending presentations of the Beta Version at conferences, symposiums, and webinars (n = 94).

Exploring the inclusion of teaching and learning on assistive products in undergraduate curricula of health sciences faculties at three South African Universities.

Background: Providers must be knowledgeable on policy, systems and products to provide a person centred service and prescribe the most appropriate assistive product for each user.

Aim: This study aimed to determine to what extent teaching and learning on assistive products are included in undergraduate curricula of the Health science faculties at three universities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Methods: Data were gathered through a cross sectional survey.

Integration of wheelchair service provision education: current situation, facilitators and barriers for academic rehabilitation programs worldwide.

An estimated 75 million people with disabilities need wheelchairs globally, of whom 5-15% have one. Access to an appropriate wheelchair requires rehabilitation professionals trained to provide wheelchair service. One aim of the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) is to promote and facilitate the integration of wheelchair service provision education into academic rehabilitation programs worldwide.

Establishing the need for clinical follow-up after emergency appendicectomy in the modern era: Retrospective case series of 145 patients.

Introduction: Emergency appendicectomy (EA) is a commonly performed operation, with an increasing number of EAs being performed as day-case. The aim of this study is to establish if there is a need for post-operative follow-up and if this could prevent adverse outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent EA at multiple centres over a six-month period was undertaken.

Assistive technology products: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit.

This paper is based on work from the Global Research, Innovation, and Education on Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit that was coordinated by WHO's Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE). The purpose of this paper is to describe the needs and opportunities embedded in the assistive product lifecycle as well as issues relating to the various stages of assistive product mobilization worldwide. The paper discusses assistive technology product terminology and the dangers of focusing on products outside the context and rolling out products without a plan.

Wheelchair service provision education in academia.

Background: An estimated 70 million people with disabilities need wheelchairs. To address this global crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed an eight-step wheelchair service provision model to ensure service quality regardless of resource setting. The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals (ISWP) aims to facilitate the integration of the WHO eight-step model into professional rehabilitation programmes.

A rare case of umbilical metastasis after delayed transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap reconstruction for invasive breast cancer.

A 46-year-old female presented with an inflamed and painful umbilicus. Past medical history included breast cancer, followed by metastatic sternal cancer two years after the initial breast cancer diagnosis.The painful umbilicus was confirmed metastasis from a primary breast cancer she had treated eleven years previously.

Cochlear implantation: An assessment of quality and readability of web-based information aimed at patients.

Objectives: Patients should have access to high-quality health information websites on which to base their decision-making. There are concerns regarding the accuracy and quality of some health websites. We aimed to objectively measure website quality related to cochlear implantation.