Occupational therapists’ perceptions and experiences of interventions involving digital technology with post-stroke patients in early supported discharge settings : A qualitative study

Introduction: Early supported discharge intervention offers strokerehabilitation in the home environment. Digitalisation in society may make it demanding to perform everyday activities in traditional ways. Considering that the use of technology now is part of our daily activities, occupational therapists need to maintain a client-centred practice and make sure that their own competencies in using the technology is adequate. Aim: The aim with this study is to explore occupational therapists' perceptions and experiences of interventions involving digital technology with post-stroke patients in early supported discharge settings. Method: A qualitative study with aphenomenological approach was carried out. Four interviews of occupational therapists were conducted. A qualitative content analysis approach was done for the analysis. Findings: Two main categories emerged which were interpreted into the theme Digitalization requires clinical reasoning. Many factors that involved the digitalization of today's society affected both the patients' occupations pre- and post-stroke and therefore also affected the OTs roles and work process. Conclusions: This study highlights that more knowledge is required regarding digital technology and enhancing competence and clinical reasoning within the occupational therapy practice process. Significance: This3study may provide a better understanding for the potential effects that digitalization has within occupational therapy practise