BackgroundA key role of Occupational Therapists (OTs) is to carry out pre-discharge home visits (PHV) and propose appropriate adaptations to the home environment in order to enable patients to function independently after hospital discharge. However, research shows that more than 50% of specialist equipment installed as part of home adaptations is not used by patients. A key reason for this is that decisions about home adaptations are often made without adequate collaboration and consultation with the patient. Consequently, there is an urgent need to seek out new and innovative uses of technology to facilitate patient/practitioner collaboration, engagement, and shared decision making in the PHV process. Virtual reality interior design applications (VRIDAs) primarily allow users to simulate the home environment and visualize changes prior to implementing them. Customized VRIDAs, which also model specialist occupational therapy equipment, could become a valuable tool to facilitate improved patient/practitioner collaboration, if developed effectively and integrated into the PHV process.ObjectiveThe intent of the study was to explore the perceptions of OTs with regard to using VRIDAs as an assistive tool within the PHV process.MethodsTask-oriented interactive usability sessions, utilizing the think-aloud protocol and subsequent semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven OTs who possessed significant experience across a range of clinical settings. Template analysis was carried out on the think-aloud and interview data. Analysis was both inductive and driven by theory, centering around the parameters that impact upon the acceptance, adoption, and use of this technology in practice as indicated by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).ResultsOTs’ perceptions were identified relating to three core themes: (1) perceived usefulness (PU), (2) perceived ease of use (PEoU), and (3) actual use (AU). Regarding PU, OTs believed VRIDAs had promising potential to increase understanding, enrich communication and patient involvement, and improve patient/practitioner shared understanding. However, it was unlikely that VRIDAs would be suitable for use with cognitively impaired patients. For PEoU, all OTs were able to use the software and complete the tasks successfully; however, participants noted numerous specialist equipment items that could be added to the furniture library. AU perceptions were positive regarding use of the application across a range of clinical settings including children/young adults, long-term conditions, neurology, older adults, and social services. However, some “fine tuning” may be necessary if the application is to be optimally used in practice.ConclusionsParticipants perceived the use of VRIDAs in practice would enhance levels of patient/practitioner collaboration and provide a much needed mechanism via which patients are empowered to become more equal partners in decisions made about their care. Further research is needed to explore patient perceptions of VRIDAs, to make necessary customization...

Introduction: Falls prevention is a key activity for general practitioners, occupational therapists and other allied health professionals. Despite evidence for multidisciplinary community-based interventions, uptake of falls prevention is variable. General practitioners are crucial in identifying older people at risk of falls and referring for intervention. This research aims to identify the current practice of general practitioners in falls prevention and to identify opportunities for occupational therapists in particular to extend their role in falls prevention in primary care. Method: A total of 4000 paper surveys were mailed to randomly selected general practitioners within 209 clinical commissioning groups in England. Online surveys were also distributed via clinical commissioning groups to approximately 3200 general practitioners. Descriptive analysis of the data was undertaken. Results: A total of 152 general practitioners responded. More than half indicated they were familiar with the UK guidelines for falls risk screening, but less than a third implemented these. Only 31% routinely asked older people if they had fallen. Whilst 90% identified occupational therapists as providing evidence-based falls prevention, only 74% referred to occupational therapy. Conclusion: There are gaps in general practitioners' falls prevention referral practices to occupational therapists and allied health professionals. Better general practitioner pathways could enhance the quality of falls-prevention care for older people at risk.