What factors determine therapists’ acceptance of new technologies for rehabilitation – a study using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine what factors affect the acceptance behavior and use of new technologies for rehabilitation by therapists at a large rehabilitation hospital in Canada. Method: A self-administrated paper-based survey was created by adapting scales with high levels of internal consistency in prior research using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Items were scored on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from “strongly disagree (1)” to “strongly agree (7)”. The target population was all occupational therapists (OT) and physical therapists (PT) involved with the provision of therapeutic interventions at the hospital. Our research model was tested using partial least squares (PLS) technique. Results: Performance expectancy was the strongest salient construct for behavioral intention to use new technologies in rehabilitation, whereas neither effort expectancy nor social influence were salient constructs for behavioral intention to use new technologies; (4) facilitating condition and behavioral intention to use new technologies were salient constructs for current use of new technologies in rehabilitation, with facilitating condition the strongest salient for current use of new technologies in rehabilitation. Conclusion: In a large rehabilitation hospital where use of new technologies in rehabilitation is not mandatory, performance expectancy, or how the technology can help in therapists’ work, was the most important factor in determining therapists’ acceptance and use of technologies. However, effort expectancy and social influence constructs were not important, i.e. therapists were not influenced by the degree of difficulty or social pressures to use technologies. Behavioral intention and facilitating condition, or institutional support, are related to current use of new technologies in rehabilitation.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation professionals who are faced with using new technologies are less concerned about effort and social pressures, than they are about what the technologies can do for them or their clients.

• When it comes to new rehabilitation technologies, actual users express intention.

• Rehabilitation professionals’ acceptance and adoption of technologies rely on conditions that facilitate their use. These conditions include scheduling, support and a conductive environment.

• Assistive technology
• occupational therapy
• physical therapy
• technology acceptance
• Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
• UTAUT model

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all of the therapists and staff at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital for their participation in the study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This study was supported by a Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Research Grant in 2012.