Understanding the Impact of Assistive Technologies for Care Partners Through the Lens of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Research Objectives: To investigate the impact of assistive technologies (AT) on caregiver involvement for persons with disabilities to identify needs and knowledge gaps. This will inform the implementation of an online resource hub designed to facilitate access to AT.

Design: This study involves conducting semi-structured interviews with caregivers of persons living with disabilities to collect qualitative data to investigate the impact of AT on each health-related domain of the WHO-ICF. A participatory action research approach was used in this initiative to inform the development of a multi-faceted resource hub that seeks to (1) facilitate the exchange of AT; and (2) provide AT-related resources.

Setting: Interviews were conducted using an online platform to inform the design and development of a web-based resource hub with community outreach in Ontario, Canada.

Participants: A semi-structured interview guide was created by a team of researchers, persons with lived experience and trainees to examine the impact and role of assistive devices on caregivers who help to manage the care and daily living activities of persons with disabilities.

Interventions: Not Applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Through adopting an interpretative phenomenological approach, a thematic analysis of the caregiver interview responses was used to understand the impact of AT (interviews are continuing until saturation is reached).

Results: Many patient-caregiver partnerships encounter financial and access-related barriers to obtaining the AT required to promote independence and participation. Preliminary themes include, (1) AT as a means to alleviate caregiver stressors; (2) barriers to the access of AT; and (3) AT to promote the quality of living for persons with disabilities and subsequent partners in care.

Conclusions: Through gathering the perspectives of caregivers, an online solution that seeks to promote access and affordability of AT will ensure that all partners in care are well-supported in managing their own health, and the health of others.

Author(s) Disclosures: None to disclose.