Non-use of assistive technology in The Netherlands: a non-issue?

PURPOSE

To obtain insight into the prevalence of the non-use of assistive technology in The Netherlands. Relationships between non-use and possible determinants were also investigated. The results of the study might lead to improvement of products and of the service delivery system for assistive technology.

METHOD

A study was performed into user satisfaction and the non-use of 14 categories of assistive technology provided by health care insurers. The design was a survey among a stratified sample of users who had received an assistive device, recruited through a sample of health insurance companies. Two independent samples were selected: one in 2001 and one in 2003. Three aspects of non-use were measured. The total number of respondents was 2272.

RESULTS

Ninety-two percent of the respondents used the assistive device at the time of the survey. Less than 1% of the respondents never used the device. A majority of the respondents used the assistive device (about) as much as expected and 6% used the assistive device less than expected. Relationships between non-use and other investigated aspects were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The average level of non-use of assistive technology found in this study is less than often reported in the literature and varies between the various categories of assistive technology. Improving the quality of the assistive technology and the services, and providing assistive technology that solves the users' problem as much as possible, could enhance the use of assistive technology provided.