Non-use of provided assistive technology devices, a literature overview

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wessels, R. | Dijcks, B. | Soede, M.^{; *} | Gelderblom, G.J. | De Witte, L.

Affiliations: IRv, Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Mathijs Soede, iRv Institute for Rehabilitation Research, P.O. Box 192, 6430 AD Hoensbroek, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 45 5237 500; Fax: +31 45 5231 550; E-mail: T-D.journal@irv.nl.

Abstract: Over the years, several studies have been performed on the subject of non-use of provided assistive technology. All of them report high rates of non-use. In this literature overview the determinants mentioned in literature that affect the degree of non-use will be discussed. They will be compared to the determinants that affect adherence with medical interventions. First, the various definitions of non-use used in literature will be compared. Next, an overview of the determinants of non-use of assistive technology will be given, categorized under personal factors, factors related to the assistive device, factors related to the user's environment and factors related to the intervention. After comparing these factors to the factors found in literature related to adherence with medical interventions, the strategies used to reduce non-adherence with medical interventions will be “translated” into the field of assistive technology provision.

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2003-15404

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 231-238, 2003