The Use of Assistive Technology to Promote Care of the Self and Social Inclusion in Patients with Sequels of Leprosy

Abstract

BackgroundThis study is about the contribution of occupational therapy inside a rehabilitation group, and we focus on the autonomy of patients with disabilities due to leprosy. There are few studies on the use of assistive technology by leprosy patients; to our knowledge, none of them aim to have a subjective approach of care. Our purpose was to analyze the repercussions of assistive technology on autonomy of care of the self in patients with sequels of leprosy.MethodsA qualitative, descriptive exploratory study with a semi-structured interview and a field observation as a research method was conducted between November 2014 and February 2015 at a University Hospital in Rio de Janeiro.FindingsEight patients from the service of Occupational Therapy were interviewed, and 44 hours of observation were performed. Interviews followed a semi-structured script and a field journal was used to take notes. Analysis was conducted by the hermeneutic approach. Costs were obtained after a global cost analysis of the fixed and variable expenses and direct and indirect costs to the manufactured products with an amount of 100 dollars. Results were grouped according to the following categories: contribution of the adapted devices for the care of the self and feelings and sensations provoked by the use of self-help devices. The reports revealed feelings, perceptions and meaningful contents about the social, familiar and individual dimensions, also the stigma coupled with leprosy. However, forms of re-signification were elaborated.ConclusionsAssistive technology empowers the subject to perform care of the self and promotes social inclusion.

COVID-19 in LMICs: The Need to Place Stigma Front and Centre to Its Response

“…These interventions engage at the intrapersonal level—seeking to counter internalised stigma—as well as at interpersonal and community level. With respect to NTDs, these commonly include self-care and self-help (Pryce et al 2018 ), educational programmes (Correia et al 2019 ), assistive technology (Maia et al 2016 ), and community engagement approaches (Jung et al 2020 ). Other measures against stigmatisation tend to be health education for patients and the community (Zeldenryk et al 2011 ) and disease management, yet the effectiveness of these measures has not been demonstrated in the literature (Hofstraat and van Brakel 2016 ).…”

Assistive technologies for improving the oral hygiene of leprosy patients residing in a former leprosy colony in Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Most the patients who accepted and adopted a personalized assistive device showed improved or stable performance of denture brushing or mouthwash. Previous study with leprosy patients showed that to provide devices to them, that allow the care of the self, can contribute to preservation of the independence [ 18 , 19 ] and social inclusion [ 18 ]. It was observed too that the use of the devices has an impact in the rescue of the abilities lost with the evolution of the leprosy disabilities [ 18 ].…”

“…Some elders related that is easier to perform the relevant tasks without their device or had difficulty incorporating something new into their routine. Previous studies have identified several reasons why older people are reluctant to use assistive technology devices: frustration at having to use them, because the need for them is an indication of their limitations, lack of interest in learning how to use them, poor aesthetic quality, shame and denial of disability [ 18 , 30 – 35 ]. In our study the patients’ failure to use the devices provided for them may also be attributed to the fact that many of them feel tired as a consequence of their diseases and the functional limitations caused by their physical deformities and did not want to worry about inserting another new activity or process into their daily life.…”

“…In spite of this goal, there has been scant research into the use of assistive devices by leprosy patients. A qualitative analysis showed that assistive devices were efficient and promoted the social inclusion of people affected by leprosy [ 18 ]. This study addresses that gap by describing the use of assistive technology devices to support oral hygiene activities in patients with history of leprosy in Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil.…”

Análise Da Produção Científica Sobre a Tecnologia Assistiva No Brasil

“…Nessa perspectiva, as pesquisas foram orientadas para o uso da tecnologia assistiva no auxílio ao cotidiano das pessoas, sua inclusão social ou como instrumento em cirurgias dessas patologias (BARBOSA, et al, 2014;GUIMARÃES et al, 2016;BARBOSA, et al, 2016;MUNIZ et al, 2016;MAIA et al, 2016;ALVAREZ et al, 2017;GAMA et al, 2017).…”