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Clinician experiences with using assistive technology in brain injury rehabilitation: a survey of clinician capability, attitudes, and barriers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2023

Kavya Pilli ,
Brendan Worne  and
Grahame Simpson Open the ORCID record for Grahame Simpson [Opens in a new window]
Kavya Pilli*
Affiliation:
Liverpool Brain Injury Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Brendan Worne
Affiliation:
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
Grahame Simpson
Affiliation:
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Research Group, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia John Walsh Centre of Rehabilitation Research, Kolling Institute, Sydney, Australia Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
*
*Corresponding author. Email: kavya.pilli@health.nsw.gov.au
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Abstract

Background:

The rise in assistive technology (AT) solutions to support people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) has warranted clinicians to build capability in assisting clients to select goal-centred AT. The study explored, amongst ABI clinicians, (a) capability, attitudes, and barriers with AT implementation, (b) age-related differences in technology self-efficacy and capability (c) strategies to support AT use in rehabilitation and (d) thematic analysis of AT-related experiences.

Method:

Mixed methods design. Online survey circulated to ABI clinicians across New South Wales, Australia, comprising purpose-designed items as well as the Modified Computer Self-Efficacy Scale (MCSES; range 0–100)

Results:

Clinicians (n = 123) were evenly distributed across decadal age groups. The majority were female (90%, n = 111) and one-third were occupational therapists.

Clinicians scored strongly on the MCSES (Mdn = 76, IQR = 19), with younger age groups significantly associated with higher scores (H[3] = 9.667, p = .022). Most clinicians (92%) were knowledgeable of mainstream technology for personal use, but over half (65%) reported insufficient knowledge of suitable AT for clients. Clinicians reported positive attitudes towards AT, however, time to research and develop proficiency with a range of AT was the primary barrier (81%).

Thematic analysis suggested that whilst the ideal AT experience is client-motivated requiring multidisciplinary guidance, the clinician role and experience with AT is evolving, influenced by rapid technological advancement and extrinsic opportunities to access AT.

Conclusions:

Whilst clinicians have positive attitudes towards AT, there is a gap in clinician implementation. There is need to support further resources to build clinician capability and access to AT.

Keywords

Acquired brain injurytraumatic brain injuryassistive technologycliniciansself-efficacytechnology acceptancerehabilitationbehaviour change
Type
Original Article
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , September 2023 , pp. 185 - 203
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment

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