LCSH
People with disabilities in technology; Brain damage--Patients--Rehabilitation; Personalized medicine
Abstract
The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate how occupational therapists use everyday technology (ET) in their evaluation and treatment of adults with acquired brain injury (ABI). Questions included (1) the type of client therapists believed most likely to benefit from using technology, (2) current patterns of technology use with clients, including type of technology and frequency of use (3) the extent to which therapists think ET was effective, and (4) the supports for and barriers against using ET in practice. A survey was completed by 40 occupational therapists who were members of the Physical Disabilities, Technology, or Home and Community Health Special Interest Sections (SIS) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The findings indicated that occupational therapists tend not to ask questions about ET, evaluate its use formally or informally, may make assumptions about client’s ability to use ET, and not consider work related interventions. Many clinicians report ET to be useful, but tend not to use it in practice, possibly due to barriers impacting therapists’ use of ET, such as, access to and knowledge about ET. ET use should be considered in the future development of standardized assessments, occupational therapy education, and research.
First Advisor
Tatiana Kaminsky, PhD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Sue Doyle, PhD, OTR/L
Third Advisor
Yvonne Swinth, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Date of Completion
Spring 5-13-2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Format
URI
http://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/ms_occ_therapy/112
Language
English
Rights
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
Date of Award
Spring 2015
Department
Occupational Therapy
Institution
University of Puget Sound