A study into clients’ attitudes towards mechanical aids

In the second article of three (the first appeared in last week’s issue), the authors describe Phase II of the study “An Evaluation of Mechanical Aids used within the NHS’, the aim of which was to evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of mechanical aids. In this article clients’ attitudes toward mechanical aid use is considered. This is supplemented by data obtained through observing nurses and clients using mechanical aids in the clinical area. It was found that, although mechanical aids were considered desirable and safe by most patients and their operation involved only moderate postural discomfort to the nurses operating them, the nurses still offered client discomfort or fear as a reason for not using the aids. The authors offer some recommendations to encourage increased use of mechanical aids in appropriate client care situations. The final article, describing Phase III of the study, will appear in next week’s issue.