Barriers and facilitators of assistive technology service delivery process (AT-SDP) in South Korea
Creators: name: Woo, Jihee
name: Jang, Wanho
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Biophysics
subject: Medicine
subject: Pharmacology
classificationCode: 59999
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
classificationCode: 69999
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
classificationCode: 80699
subject: Information Systems not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy

description: To describe the barriers and facilitators of the assistive technology service delivery process (AT-SDP), based on the perspectives of assistive technology service professionals (ATPs) and assistive technology (AT) service users. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine AT users and eight ATPs in South Korea. The data were analyzed using a constant comparative approach based on the grounded theory. AT users and ATPs identified common barriers in the assessment, matching, and implementation of the AT-SDP. In the assessment process, the preparation of detailed selection criteria was suggested for assistive technology devices (ATDs). Insufficient linkages on assessments among institutions providing AT services was a reported barrier, and standardized evaluation tools were suggested to address this issue. In the matching process, to meet users’ needs, versatility in the characteristics or type of ATD was highlighted. In the implementation process, participants emphasized the need to shorten the time required during the delivery process. Along with these facilitators, institutional support, including staffing securement, the establishment of AT centres, and funding policies were recommended to facilitate the AT-SDP. Our results highlight the importance of government support and considering realistic funding levels to overcome the barriers reported by AT users and ATPs. It is important to consider comprehensively the perspectives of assistive technology service (AT) users and assistive technology service professionals (ATPs) to improve assistive technology service delivery process (AT-SDP).ATP must standardize assessment or evaluation tools to execute the AT-SDP identically. Additionally, they need to establish a role for ATP in an interdisciplinary approach.Institutional support, including staffing securement, the establishment of AT centres, and funding policies are needed to facilitate the rapid delivery process and meet AT users’ needs.Further research should report barriers and facilitators for AT-SDP through mixed methods of study and investigate targeting AT users from other institutions as well as AT centres. It is important to consider comprehensively the perspectives of assistive technology service (AT) users and assistive technology service professionals (ATPs) to improve assistive technology service delivery process (AT-SDP). ATP must standardize assessment or evaluation tools to execute the AT-SDP identically. Additionally, they need to establish a role for ATP in an interdisciplinary approach. Institutional support, including staffing securement, the establishment of AT centres, and funding policies are needed to facilitate the rapid delivery process and meet AT users’ needs. Further research should report barriers and facilitators for AT-SDP through mixed methods of study and investigate targeting AT users from other institutions as well as AT centres.