Irish Occupational Therapists' Views of Electronic Assistive Technology

Verdonck, Michèle; McCormack, Cathy; Chard, Gill

doi:10.4276/030802211x13021048723291

Cited by 19 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Our experiences (as users, occupational therapists, and researchers) suggest that assistive technology provision policies and practices in Australia are not abreast of contemporary definitions of, and markets for, assistive products. The future role of professionals such as occupational therapists may depend upon our abilities to coproduce outcomes despite pragmatic constraints [ 19 ] and our strategies to achieve assistive technology “currency” to support our clinical reasoning processes [ 20 ]. From her perspective as an occupational therapy service user and peer supporter, RB notes: Assistive technology abandonment rates indicate that even “ideal” choosing with professional guidance is no panacea.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Currency and Competence of Occupational Therapists and Consumers with Rapidly Changing Technology

Steel

Buchanan²,

Layton

et al. 2017

Occupational Therapy International

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Assistive technology was once a specialised field of practice, involving products designed for populations with specific impairments or functional goals. In Australia, occupational therapists have, at times, functioned as gatekeepers to public funding, prescribing products from a predefined list. An expanding range of accessible mainstream products available via international and online markets has changed the meaning and application of assistive technology for many people with disability. In the policy context of consumer choice and cost-effectiveness, have occupational therapists been left behind? This paper describes the change in context for access to assistive technology resulting in expanded possibilities for participation and inclusion. A case study of environmental control systems is used to explore the overlap of mainstream and assistive products and the funding and services to support their uptake. The analysis describes a future policy and practice context in which assistive technology includes a spectrum of products decoupled from access to independent advice and support services. A broader scope of occupational therapy practice has potential to enhance the occupational rights of people with disability and the efficiency and effectiveness of assistive technology provision.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Currency and Competence of Occupational Therapists and Consumers with Rapidly Changing Technology

Steel

Buchanan²,

Layton

et al. 2017

Occupational Therapy International

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“…Furthermore, the subjective experience of EAT users holds valuable information on how devices and systems can be introduced to users successfully (Stickel et al., 2002). This knowledge can inform occupational therapy practice, a key profession involved in EAT prescription for people with disability (Linden et al., 2011; Verdonck et al., 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electronic assistive technology used by people with acquired brain injury in shared supported accommodation: Implications for occupational therapy

Jamwal

Callaway

Ackerl³

et al. 2017

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Introduction: People with severe acquired brain injury often require lifetime support, sometimes received from paid workers if living in shared supported accommodation. Electronic assistive technology may offer a less intrusive method of support that can enable autonomous participation and deliver cost savings. However, research on rates, barriers, and facilitators of electronic assistive technology uptake is lacking. This study aimed to identify electronic assistive technology types used by people with acquired brain injury living in shared supported accommodation, assess user satisfaction and psychosocial impact of electronic assistive technology, detail the impact of technology use on respondents' participation and support needs, and describe barriers and/or facilitators to electronic assistive technology uptake and ongoing use. Method: Participants were identified electronic assistive technology users with acquired brain injury living in shared supported accommodation in Australia (N ¼ 22). Mixed methods data were collected using semi-structured interviews and published measures of support need, electronic assistive technology satisfaction, and psychosocial impact. Results: Participants reported satisfaction with the devices they used, and positive psychosocial outcomes. Areas impacted by electronic assistive technology, key facilitators and barriers to electronic assistive technology use, and implications for occupational therapists working to deliver electronic assistive technology solutions were identified. Conclusion: Electronic assistive technology use by this group can positively influence both everyday functioning and participation.

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“…These devices are also increasingly part of occupational therapists’ professional repertoires and are likely in future to become even more integral, as highlighted by the College of Occupational Therapists (2007) and the Department of Health (Riley et al., 2008). Despite this push for telecare at the national policy level, provision amongst local authorities is fragmented and uneven and therefore the types of equipment, assessment, installation, monitoring and response services differ greatly between localities, as does the role of occupational therapists within these systems (Hawley, 2002; Smith, 1999; Verdonck et al., 2011). Nonetheless, understanding of the factors affecting acceptance and optimal usage is beneficial for occupational therapists working in this field as resources will always be wasted unless telecare is used after installation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telecare, obtrusiveness, acceptance and use: An empirical exploration

Hamblin

2016

British Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Introduction: Telecare is increasingly part of the UK's health and social care arrangements, and therefore occupational therapists' practice. Understanding factors which influence telecare's acceptance and usage is important to ensure optimal outcomes, both for service users and health and social care systems. Method: This paper uses data collected by a qualitative, multi-method, longitudinal research study (n=60) to explore whether an American model of 'obtrusiveness' (Hensel et al., 2006) is applicable to the UK context by examining what factors influence older adults' acceptance and use of telecare. Findings: The obtrusiveness model is broadly applicable to the UK context, but there are also two further issues which affected the acceptance and use of telecare: the degree of control a service user feels they have and the information and support they receive in using their devices. Conclusion: The obtrusiveness model, plus the two additions (control and information), highlight important issues which could assist professionals working with telecare, including occupational therapists, in ensuring telecare is both accepted and well-used.

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Irish Occupational Therapists' Views of Electronic Assistive Technology

Cited by 19 publications

References 24 publications

Currency and Competence of Occupational Therapists and Consumers with Rapidly Changing Technology

Currency and Competence of Occupational Therapists and Consumers with Rapidly Changing Technology

Electronic assistive technology used by people with acquired brain injury in shared supported accommodation: Implications for occupational therapy

Telecare, obtrusiveness, acceptance and use: An empirical exploration

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