TY - JOUR
T1 - Assistive technology, information asymmetry and the role of brokerage services
T2 - a scoping review
AU - D'Cunha, Nathan Martin
AU - Isbel, Stephen
AU - Goss, John
AU - Pezzullo, Lynne
AU - Naumovski, Nenad
AU - Gibson, Diane
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was partially supported by Assistive Technology Australia, a not-for-profit organisation. Award/grant number: N/A.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/12/27
Y1 - 2022/12/27
N2 - OBJECTIVES: Access to assistive technologies (ATs) is a human right for people with disabilities, but there are a range of barriers, including lack of adequate information. This review aimed to explore the implications of information asymmetry on the delivery of AT and to investigate if there are effective and equitable ways of providing AT brokerage services to people needing AT. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: EBSCO Medline, EBSCO Cinahl, Academic Search Ultimate, Business Source Ultimate, Proquest Central, Scopus, Web of Science, PsychINFO, EconLit and JSTOR were searched through 18 July 2021. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Intervention and observational studies and articles directly related to information asymmetry and brokerage in the context of AT were included. In addition, a scan of web-based resources and services was undertaken. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Four authors independently screened the articles for inclusion and performed a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Thirty-three articles were identified. The narrative synthesis showed that: (1) AT users want access to impartial information sources; (2) users want to be involved in AT selection; (3) users benefit from access to demonstration sites; (4) users want access to training and ongoing support in their use of AT; and (5) users want access to information on new and emerging technologies. Access to information and user engagement, we produced better outcomes and satisfaction. Web-based repositories are valuable for user research and peer feedback, while demonstration sites address the need for expert advice, trial use of equipment, training and support in equipment use and maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: Access to impartial information brokerage is critical to optimise AT selection. The implications of information asymmetry include lower user satisfaction, equipment underutilisation or abandonment. Aspects such as access to demonstration sites and web-based resources were also important.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Access to assistive technologies (ATs) is a human right for people with disabilities, but there are a range of barriers, including lack of adequate information. This review aimed to explore the implications of information asymmetry on the delivery of AT and to investigate if there are effective and equitable ways of providing AT brokerage services to people needing AT. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: EBSCO Medline, EBSCO Cinahl, Academic Search Ultimate, Business Source Ultimate, Proquest Central, Scopus, Web of Science, PsychINFO, EconLit and JSTOR were searched through 18 July 2021. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Intervention and observational studies and articles directly related to information asymmetry and brokerage in the context of AT were included. In addition, a scan of web-based resources and services was undertaken. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Four authors independently screened the articles for inclusion and performed a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Thirty-three articles were identified. The narrative synthesis showed that: (1) AT users want access to impartial information sources; (2) users want to be involved in AT selection; (3) users benefit from access to demonstration sites; (4) users want access to training and ongoing support in their use of AT; and (5) users want access to information on new and emerging technologies. Access to information and user engagement, we produced better outcomes and satisfaction. Web-based repositories are valuable for user research and peer feedback, while demonstration sites address the need for expert advice, trial use of equipment, training and support in equipment use and maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: Access to impartial information brokerage is critical to optimise AT selection. The implications of information asymmetry include lower user satisfaction, equipment underutilisation or abandonment. Aspects such as access to demonstration sites and web-based resources were also important.
KW - consumer health information
KW - disabled persons
KW - occupational therapy
KW - right to health
KW - self-help devices
KW - assistive technology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85144797965&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063938
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063938
M3 - Article
C2 - 36574986
AN - SCOPUS:85144797965
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 12
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - BMJ Open
JF - BMJ Open
IS - 12
M1 - e063938
ER -
