Fysioterapeuten (Dec 2018)
Opportunities of personal connected care technology to children and youth with disabilities
Abstract
Objective: Children and youths with disabilities have different needs and resources, and many need life-long assistance from several care services. Personal connected care technology (PCCT) can be a useful tool, and make users more independent, safe and able to manage daily activities. This article explores the organizational prerequisites for successful implementation of PCCT in municipalities. Material and methods: Based on a qualitative study in four Norwegian municipalities testing PCCT for the user group, 16 professionals were interviewed. They represented different sectors, service levels and positions, as well as The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), which provides assistive technology. A thematic analysis is used. Results: Organizational prerequisites from a user perspective, a facilitating perspective and management perspective must be taken into account, for implementation of PCCT. The individual user’s resources and needs has to be examined and customized. It is also important to define roles and responsibilities of the service providers. Stakeholders, including executive level, must be involved, and cross-sectorial cooperation achieved. Conclusion: Implementing PCCT is complex. However, with knowledge and efforts to organizational preconditions at the user-, facilitator- and management level, technology can be established as a sustainable tool in municipality services for children and young people with disabilities.
