Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The impact of a crisis on the provision of assistive technology in Sweden : the case of COVID-19

Baudin, Katarina ; Frennert, Susanne LU orcid ; Pettersson, Cecilia and Larsson Ranada, Åsa (2024) In Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
Abstract
The entitlement to access assistive technology (AT) is fundamental for all individuals. However, challenges encountered during societal crises can significantly impact opportunities for participation and engagement among AT users. Understanding the implications of crises and disasters on AT provision along with their repercussions for end users is crucial. This research endeavors to investigate the experiences of managers overseeing AT provision during crises, using the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to health care managers (n = 18) within AT organizations in Sweden. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and four categories derived: Embracing change... (More)
The entitlement to access assistive technology (AT) is fundamental for all individuals. However, challenges encountered during societal crises can significantly impact opportunities for participation and engagement among AT users. Understanding the implications of crises and disasters on AT provision along with their repercussions for end users is crucial. This research endeavors to investigate the experiences of managers overseeing AT provision during crises, using the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to health care managers (n = 18) within AT organizations in Sweden. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and four categories derived: Embracing change and navigating new realities, Optimizing strategies due to decreased and limiting prescriptions, Unlocking access and addressing challenges in AT provision, The impact on the staff and their well-being vs effectiveness in the AT organization. The findings indicate that AT organizations have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of reduced consultations and growing care burden. Despite these challenges, managers have gained valuable insights into developing AT provision more efficiently and sustainably, particularly in digitization. The lessons learned will be critical in ensuring AT provision remains responsive to the needs of patients and society in the future. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
The entitlement to access assistive technology (AT) is fundamental for all individuals. However, challenges encountered during societal crises can significantly impact opportunities for participation and engagement among AT users. Understanding the implications of crises and disasters on AT provision along with their repercussions for end users is crucial. This research endeavors to investigate the experiences of managers overseeing AT provision during crises, using the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to health care managers (n = 18) within AT organizations in Sweden. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and four categories derived: Embracing change... (More)
The entitlement to access assistive technology (AT) is fundamental for all individuals. However, challenges encountered during societal crises can significantly impact opportunities for participation and engagement among AT users. Understanding the implications of crises and disasters on AT provision along with their repercussions for end users is crucial. This research endeavors to investigate the experiences of managers overseeing AT provision during crises, using the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to health care managers (n = 18) within AT organizations in Sweden. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and four categories derived: Embracing change and navigating new realities, Optimizing strategies due to decreased and limiting prescriptions, Unlocking access and addressing challenges in AT provision, The impact on the staff and their well-being vs effectiveness in the AT organization. The findings indicate that AT organizations have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of reduced consultations and growing care burden. Despite these challenges, managers have gained valuable insights into developing AT provision more efficiently and sustainably, particularly in digitization. The lessons learned will be critical in ensuring AT provision remains responsive to the needs of patients and society in the future. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
Assistive technology, Decision-making, Health service delivery, Management, Resilience
in
Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology
pages
8 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:39374412
  • scopus:85205682366
ISSN
1748-3115
DOI
10.1080/10400435.2024.2411578
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
1dc27bc1-33f6-4c73-aabd-4c6f00388c31
date added to LUP
2024-10-30 21:27:47
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:42:27
@article{1dc27bc1-33f6-4c73-aabd-4c6f00388c31,
  abstract     = {{The entitlement to access assistive technology (AT) is fundamental for all individuals. However, challenges encountered during societal crises can significantly impact opportunities for participation and engagement among AT users. Understanding the implications of crises and disasters on AT provision along with their repercussions for end users is crucial. This research endeavors to investigate the experiences of managers overseeing AT provision during crises, using the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. An open-ended questionnaire was distributed to health care managers (n = 18) within AT organizations in Sweden. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and four categories derived: Embracing change and navigating new realities, Optimizing strategies due to decreased and limiting prescriptions, Unlocking access and addressing challenges in AT provision, The impact on the staff and their well-being vs effectiveness in the AT organization. The findings indicate that AT organizations have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of reduced consultations and growing care burden. Despite these challenges, managers have gained valuable insights into developing AT provision more efficiently and sustainably, particularly in digitization. The lessons learned will be critical in ensuring AT provision remains responsive to the needs of patients and society in the future.}},
  author       = {{Baudin, Katarina and Frennert, Susanne and Pettersson, Cecilia and Larsson Ranada, Åsa}},
  issn         = {{1748-3115}},
  keywords     = {{Assistive technology; Decision-making; Health service delivery; Management; Resilience}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology}},
  title        = {{The impact of a crisis on the provision of assistive technology in Sweden : the case of COVID-19}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2024.2411578}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/10400435.2024.2411578}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}