Purpose: Considering the key role of health care providers in integrating assistive technologies into clinical settings (e.g., in/outpatient rehabilitation) and home, this study explored the care providers' perspectives on benefits, barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the Cognitive Orthosis for coOking (COOK) for adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) within clinical contexts and homes.
Methods: Using a qualitative descriptive approach, semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups were carried out with experienced care providers of adults with TBI (n = 30) in Ontario-Canada. Qualitative analysis based on the Miles et al approach was used.
Results: According to the participants, COOK could potentially be used with individuals with cognitive impairments (TBI and non-TBI) to increase safety and independence in meal preparation and support healthcare providers. However, limited access to funding, clients' lack of motivation/knowledge, and the severity of their cognitive and motor impairments were perceived as potential barriers. Facilitators to the use of COOK include training sessions, availability of private/provincial financing, and comprehensive assessments by a clinical team prior to use.
Conclusions: Health care providers' perspectives will help develop implementation strategies to facilitate the adoption of COOK within homes and clinical contexts for individuals with TBI and improve the next version of this technology.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONCOOK shows a high potential for increasing independence and safety during meal preparation with its sensor-based monitoring of the environment and cognitive-based assistance, for adults with TBI.Comprehensive clinical assessments to identify individuals' therapeutic goals, clinical characteristics, and living environments are necessary to facilitate the deployment of COOK.
Keywords: Traumatic brain injury; activities of daily living; assistive technology; cognitive rehabilitation; implementation.