Open this publication in new window or tab >>2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]
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.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: E-print AB, 2021
Series
Mälardalen University Press Dissertations, ISSN 1651-4238 ; 333
Keywords
assistive technology, welfare technology, older adults, health care providers, content analysis, cross-sectional, thematic analysis, interdisciplinary health care professionals, decision-making, managers, utilisation, perception
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Care Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-53888 (URN)978-91-7485-505-0 (ISBN)
Public defence
2021-05-28, sal C1-007 och digitalt via Zoom, Mälardalens högskola, Eskilstuna, 09:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Projects
HV3D
2021-04-152021-04-152021-05-07Bibliographically approved