Assistive technology and welfare technology explorations : Aspects of perception, utilisation and decision-making

• Aims: The overall aim of this thesis was to explore decision makers’ and professionals’ perceptions, utilisation, and decision-making about assistive technology (AT) and welfare technology (WT) within the interprofessional field of care for older adults. Methods: A literature review was conducted, including nine peer-reviewed scientific articles (I), analysed with a qualitative descriptive method. A web-based questionnaire, answered by 393 officials and health care providers in municipal eldercare (II and III), was analysed using content analysis of the open-ended answers (II) and descriptive and inferential statistics of the closed-ended answers (III). A semi-structured interview with 24 decision makers was also conducted and analysed with thematic reflexive analysis. Results: The studies revealed a lack of evidence-based decision models to support assistive and welfare technology decisions, partly due to the context being complex and multifaceted. The technology was perceived as progressive and cutting-edge, while organizational structure and culture were perceived as regressive and resistant to change. The results revealed personnel working with WT were generally very positive toward new technology, although there were age, gender, participation, and professional differences. Study IV results revealed that supportive aspects, technology aspects, patient aspects, and knowledge aspects influence AT-organizations' decision-making. Although AT/WT has been portrayed to have the potential to solve the challenges of an aging population, the decision-making regarding AT/WT is complex and evolving. Increased communication between government, regions, and municipalities to support the development of guidelines would enhance the goal of a person-centred care. Conclusion: This thesis contributes to knowledge of decision-making models, focusing on GATE´s model (Khasnabis et al., 2015) applicable in AT/WT. Further development and deepen knowledge in the area of AT/WT appears as needed due to results showing that there is a lack of structured knowledge about the decision-making processes and evaluations of effects of AT/WT.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

assistive technology

welfare technology

older adults

health care providers

content analysis

cross-sectional

thematic analysis

interdisciplinary health care professionals

decision-making

managers

utilisation

perception

Care Sciences

vårdvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

dok (subject category)