Apps Joanna, Webb Stephen, Hutton Eve
Department of Research Development, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK.
School of Allied and Public Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK.
Br J Occup Ther. 2024 Jul;87(7):452-460. doi: 10.1177/03080226241233112. Epub 2024 Mar 19.
Parent/carers of disabled children want timely and personalized support. Research suggests that technology may address some limitations associated with traditional methods of communication with therapists (e.g. letter, telephone). This exploratory study examined United Kingdom (UK) parents and carers views on the use of digital technology (i.e. computers/phones) in supporting their child and the potential for its greater use in the care of children with complex needs.
An online survey was distributed via special schools and support forums/networks. Questions explored use of and attitudes to digital technology in the care of children with complex needs. Descriptive statistical analyses and content analyses were undertaken on the data.
Respondents were 43 parents/carers whose children used rehabilitation services prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority used digital technology frequently to support their child and saw the potential for greater use in rehabilitation services - provided this was not at the expense of in-person therapist contact.
Parents and carers held positive views of digital technology as a tool to support their child and enhance rehabilitation services. Recommendations include regular service consultation on parental/child attitudes to digital service delivery and longitudinal studies to assess related health outcomes.
残疾儿童的父母/照料者希望获得及时且个性化的支持。研究表明，技术或许能够解决一些与传统治疗师沟通方式（如信件、电话）相关的局限性。这项探索性研究调查了英国父母及照料者对于使用数字技术（即电脑/手机）来支持其子女的看法，以及在照料有复杂需求儿童方面进一步扩大使用数字技术的可能性。
通过特殊学校和支持论坛/网络开展在线调查。问题涉及在照料有复杂需求儿童时对数字技术的使用及态度。对数据进行了描述性统计分析和内容分析。
受访者为43位父母/照料者，其子女在新冠疫情大流行之前使用康复服务。大多数人经常使用数字技术来支持其子女，并认为在康复服务中扩大使用数字技术具有潜力——前提是不以牺牲与治疗师的面对面接触为代价。
父母和照料者对数字技术作为支持其子女及加强康复服务的工具持积极看法。建议包括就父母/儿童对数字服务提供的态度定期进行服务咨询，以及开展纵向研究以评估相关健康结果。
