Actions in assistive technology with hospitalized women ¹

Abstract

Introduction

Hospitalization can render women’s health more fragile for a variety of reasons, potentially impacting their autonomy and independence. Within this scenario, interventions using assistive technology can enhance women’s occupational performance.

Objective

To discern the assistive technology actions undertaken by occupational therapists for women in hospital settings.

Method

This descriptive, retrospective, and exploratory study with a quantitative approach was conducted from August to December 2021. It utilized secondary data from 155 medical records of women who received occupational therapy in neurology, oncology, and mental health wards at a university hospital in Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Instruments included a structured questionnaire for characterization and a checklist to trace assistive technology actions. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.

Results

Out of 155, 48 patients benefited from assistive technology interventions by occupational therapists. These interventions included evaluation services, prescription, manufacturing, use guidance, and training. The primary devices were orthoses for upper limbs and aids for activities of daily living in the neurology sector, with cushions being prominent in the oncology sector. A common goal was the enhancement of occupational performance.

Conclusion

Most assistive technology actions occurred in the oncology and neurology wards, focusing on low-cost products. There is a recognized need to refine the monitoring process for assistive technology use, invest more in assistive technology services, and promote research in this field to generate further evidence.

Keywords:
Self-help Devices; Functionality; Occupational Therapy; Women’s Health