An Occupational Therapist Training Program Needs Assessment: Raising Awareness and Training OT’s Regarding the Use of Applications on Smartphone for Clients with Functional Cognitive Dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Smartphones have the potential to foster independence for people facing functional cognition disabilities. According to the literature, this technology is seldom used as a rehabilitative tool given that OT’s are frequently are unfamiliar with these tools or feel insecure in their usage due to a lack of training. Needs Assessment Objectives: To examine the perception and the extent of use of smartphone applications, as a means of improving the independence of people dealing with functional cognitive disability. OTs and among those individuals dealing themselves with mental illness. Additionally, this study will examine OT’s interest in becoming more informed on this topic. Method: A needs assessment included conversations with policy makers in the Ministry of Health and OTs working in the field. An electronic survey was distributed on social media. Recipients of the surveys were OTs who work in mental health (N=58), the physical domain (N = 51), and people who were coping with mental health illness (N = 30). Results: A need for mobile applications as a means of functional cognitive intervention was found. Most of the patients (82.7%) responded that they could benefit from functional cognitive therapy using mobile technology, and 79.9% said that instructions given by professionals about its use were lacking. All mental health clinicians (100%), and 94.1% of those in the physical domain, responded that functional cognitive therapy using mobile technology would help their clients. Most mental health clinicians (89.5%) and 100% of those in the physical domain responded that they would like to gain more knowledge about mobile technology as a means of functional cognitive therapy. Conclusions: A project will be developed that will include a training booklet for functional cognitive therapy, accompanied by a lecture given by an expert OT in the field of technology. The goal of the project is to increase the use of mobile applications, as a means of improving the daily functioning of people who cope with functional cognition disabilities. Expected Clinical Implications: The training booklet and lecture will add to the knowledge about adapting and using mobile applications, as a functional cognitive tool, in the mental and physical fields. We expect that this knowledge will promote the use of applications in therapy, as well as improve the therapist's ability to use them.