Technology Acceptance of an Online Speech and Language Assessment Application for Stroke Patients - the Medical Caregivers’ Viewpoints

• Stroke is a globally increasing disease and speech and language deficiencies are common in stroke survivors. To facilitate medical caregivers in their professional work and to improve patients’ quality of life, technology can play an important role.  However, the use and acceptance of technology are uncertain and more research is needed in this direction. This study evaluates the technology acceptance and adoption of an online speech and language assessment application. The evaluation focused Design Science Research strategy was adopted for that purpose. Two physiotherapists, one occupational therapist and three speech therapists participated in the study. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was used as the theoretical base for interview questions formation and data analysis. The study findings show that the suggested application is useful and easy to use; however, it should be more synchronised with speech therapists’ daily work routines. The speech therapists stressed that functionalities of the application should be designed in close collaboration with them, and it should be compatible with the already existing systems and services in place.  Due to the impairments after stroke, the patients have some specific preferences for software and hardware such as a tablet with touch pen is the preferred hardware. Additionally, the interface should have bigger text fonts and pictures, and highly contrastive colours in the graphics should be used for patients’ convenience. The user’s privacy and security, patient’s current health, and their previous knowledge and experience about technology were also found important determinants for intention to use the given technology. 

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Information Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Technology acceptance

Speech and language relearning

Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

eHealth

Stroke

Information Systems

Informatik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)