LCSH

Internet users; People with disabilities--Care; People with disabilities--Means of communication

Abstract

The internet has emerged as a valuable tool for communication and completion of everyday tasks, such as banking and shopping, for many people, including people with disabilities (Dorey, Reid, & Chiu, 2007; Goodman, et al., 2008; Malcolm, et al., 2001; Valentine & Skelton, 2009). The purpose of this study was to survey U.S. occupational therapists to explore their use of the internet as an intervention activity to address areas of occupation as defined by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2nd edition (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2008). Eighty-eight U.S. occupational therapists were included in the study for a response rate of 36%. Forty-two percent of the respondents reported using the internet as an intervention activity, but almost all of the respondents at least somewhat agreed that the internet could be an effective intervention activity for most diagnoses and age groups. Also, occupational therapists responding who had been practicing for fewer years were significantly more likely to report that they had used the internet as an intervention activity than their more experienced peers. Further research is needed to explore facilitators and barriers that may be affecting occupational therapists‟ use of the internet as intervention activity.

First Advisor

Yvonne Swinth

Date of Completion

Spring 2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Format

PDF

URI

http://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/ms_occ_therapy/29

Language

English

Degree Name

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

Date of Award

4-1-2011

Department

Occupational Therapy

Institution

University of Puget Sound

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