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
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