Technology trends in practice: A survey of occupational therapy practitioners.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Given the evolving digital revolution, technology and digital tools are becoming inseparable from work and daily occupations. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) focus on supporting individuals in their desired and needed activities. Many of these daily activities (i.e., online banking, shopping, social media, smartphone use) require digital skills at a growing rate, and insufficient technological skills may subject individuals to limited engagement and social isolation. OBJECTIVE To understand OTPs attitudes regarding technology utilization. METHODS We surveyed 109 OTPs about their attitudes, work practices, and barriers to addressing their clients' digital technological functioning. RESULTS The findings of our study suggest that while OTPs acknowledge the importance and potential benefit of technology for their clients, there is a notable professional gap in the training and skills of OTPs to support their clients' digital functioning effectively and to integrate technology into their practice. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to improve and expand OTP's digital skills and knowledge regarding addressing clients' digital functioning and technology implementation in occupational therapy practice.