Interdisciplinary partnerships between rehabilitation therapists and computer scientists: a proposed model

Abstract

The concept of inter-professional collaboration to optimize solutions for complex rehabilitation problems is not novel. However, the processes involved in successful and optimal collaboration between rehabilitation therapists and computer scientists is not well studied. In this paper, we examine strategies to connect technology driven problems and solutions in the lab to clinically driven problems and constraints for usable solutions in the field. We highlight gaps in collaboration such as differences in discipline language, hypothesis driven vs. function driven outcomes and understanding of the 'end-user'. We also discuss future ideas for successful collaboration to optimize usability of rehabilitation technology through creative problem solving.