Supplement 2-Phone Interview Guide
Question 1—Current Device Use
I see that you were injured in a {accident} in {year}. It looks like you have been prescribed the MyoPro brace to help with your elbow flexion since {year}. {Insert any other pertinent information from patient chart}. Please describe your daily use of the brace currently.
• How has this evolved over time?
• What kinds of activities do you use your brace for {ADLs/rehabilitation}?
• Was there a learning period when you first received this device?
• What kinds of support and resources to you have available to you pertaining to device use? Are these sufficient?
• Could you please describe your independence in everyday life?
Question 2—Helpful Situations
This device was prescribed to you to help with elbow bending. {Depending on description of use, ask various versions of the following questions}
• Could you please describe some specific situations where you found the device helpful?
• Some users have mentioned that they are able to use their device when they {do laundry, carry small items, etc.}. What are your experiences with these tasks?
• I’ve been told that while some people may not use the brace to help them in daily life, they do use it to help strengthen their arm and do rehabilitation. How has the device helped with rehabilitation of your elbow bending motion?
Question 3—Unhelpful Situations
No assistive device is perfect, and, from others, I have learned that this one is not an exception to that statement. Could you please go over some instances when you have found the device to be more of a hindrance? {if any instances of device not being helpful had been brought up previously, make sure to reference back to them if more information desired}
• How do you feel about the weight of the device?
• Has it caused any additional pain or exacerbated existing neuropathic pain?
• Please describe the {bulk, battery life, shoulder support, donning/doffing} of your device.
• What other problems have you experienced with the device?
Supplement 2-Phone Interview Guide
• How does the device affect your range of motion?
Question 4—Functional Goals
Everyone’s brachial plexus injury and treatment is different. Given your injury, please describe your functional goals and ways you are working towards achieving them. {make sure to refer back to any goals stated earlier in conversation}
• How can I help you as an engineer to reach those functional goals?
• What is the likelihood that you would use an assistive device in the future?
Question 5—Wrap Up
Is there anything that you’d like to mention before we go?
