Parents’ and carers’ attitudes to the use of digital technology and its role in the care of children with complex needs

IF 1.3 4区医学 Q3 REHABILITATION

British Journal of Occupational Therapy Pub Date : 2024-03-19 DOI:10.1177/03080226241233112

Joanna Apps, Stephen Webb, Eve Hutton

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction:Parent/carers of disabled children want timely and personalized support. Research suggests that technology may address some limitations associated with traditional methods of communication with therapists (e.g. letter, telephone). This exploratory study examined United Kingdom (UK) parents and carers views on the use of digital technology (i.e. computers/phones) in supporting their child and the potential for its greater use in the care of children with complex needs.Methods:An online survey was distributed via special schools and support forums/networks. Questions explored use of and attitudes to digital technology in the care of children with complex needs. Descriptive statistical analyses and content analyses were undertaken on the data.Results:Respondents were 43 parents/carers whose children used rehabilitation services prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority used digital technology frequently to support their child and saw the potential for greater use in rehabilitation services – provided this was not at the expense of in-person therapist contact.Conclusion:Parents and carers held positive views of digital technology as a tool to support their child and enhance rehabilitation services. Recommendations include regular service consultation on parental/child attitudes to digital service delivery and longitudinal studies to assess related health outcomes.

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家长和照护者对使用数字技术及其在照护有复杂需求儿童中的作用的态度

导言：残疾儿童的家长/监护人希望得到及时和个性化的支持。研究表明，技术可以解决与治疗师沟通的传统方法（如信件、电话）的一些局限性。这项探索性研究考察了英国（UK）家长和照护者对使用数字技术（即电脑/电话）为其子女提供支持的看法，以及在照护有复杂需求的儿童时更多使用数字技术的潜力。方法：通过特殊学校和支持论坛/网络分发了一份在线调查，问题涉及在照顾有复杂需求的儿童时数字技术的使用情况和态度。结果：受访者为43名家长/照顾者，他们的孩子在COVID-19大流行之前曾使用过康复服务。大多数人经常使用数字技术来支持他们的孩子，并认为数字技术有可能在康复服务中得到更广泛的应用--前提是不能以牺牲与治疗师的面对面接触为代价。结论：家长和照护者对数字技术作为支持他们孩子和加强康复服务的工具持积极态度。建议包括定期就家长/儿童对数字服务的态度进行服务咨询，并开展纵向研究以评估相关的健康结果。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

British Journal of Occupational Therapy REHABILITATION-

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

15.40%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) is the official journal of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Its purpose is to publish articles with international relevance that advance knowledge in research, practice, education, and management in occupational therapy. It is a monthly peer reviewed publication that disseminates evidence on the effectiveness, benefit, and value of occupational therapy so that occupational therapists, service users, and key stakeholders can make informed decisions. BJOT publishes research articles, reviews, practice analyses, opinion pieces, editorials, letters to the editor and book reviews. It also regularly publishes special issues on topics relevant to occupational therapy.