E-Thesis 369 views 11 downloads
Reducing barriers to assistive technology: Utilising co-design to develop personalised assistive technology solutions / JONATHAN HOWARD
Swansea University Author: JONATHAN HOWARD
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Copyright: The Author, Jonathan D. Howard, 2023.
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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.63500
Abstract
Assistive technology can play a key role in increasing the independence, health and wellbeing of individuals and reduce the burden of chronic conditions on healthcare services and society. However, to date the full potential of assistive technology has yet to be realised. This research aims to ident...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Tree, Jeremy., Kemp, Andrew. and Fisher, Zoe |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63500 |
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| Abstract: |
Assistive technology can play a key role in increasing the independence, health and wellbeing of individuals and reduce the burden of chronic conditions on healthcare services and society. However, to date the full potential of assistive technology has yet to be realised. This research aims to identify the barriers to assistive technology use and then evaluate the impact of utilising end-user involvement in the design process to improve the use of assistive technology.Individuals face a broad range of barriers to accessing and using assistive technology common across different health conditions. This includes societal barriers, awareness and information and psychological barriers. This research will predominantly focus on overcoming two other key barriers related to the design and function, and service provision of assistive technology.A user-centred design methodology, referred to as co-design, was evaluated within a healthcare setting to provide customised assistive devices for individuals with chronic health conditions. Three separate empirical studies were undertaken to understand if the approach is feasible to be used within healthcare services; measuring the impact on the individual and the implications for healthcare services.Results show how a co-design approach can be used to produce customised assistive devices to help individuals with a diverse range of chronic health conditions overcome different challenges in daily living. Individuals were highly satisfied with the devices provided with improvements in function and independence for the individuals. Additional wider benefits were found relating to improvements in physical and mental health and wellbeing.The cost-efficiency gains associated with modifying and re-using designs were shown, providing promise about the implications for scaling-up the co-design process. This research provides evidence for benefits of end-user involvement in the design and provision process of assistive technology. The research was limited by small-sample size and only being conducted within a single healthcare service. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. |
| Keywords: |
Assistive technology, co-design, personalised healthcare, rehabilitation engineering |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |