Abstract
Technology in health care has changed drastically in the past 20 years and will continue with developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Practitioners can be the biggest advocates for or greatest barriers to the implementation of AI.
Primary Author and Speaker: Hannah Clark
Additional Authors and Speakers: Elena V. Donoso Brown, Kaia Mikula, Robert Halyama, Kasey E. Stepansky
Contributing Authors: Mia DelVecchio, Min Lee
Literature has explored therapist perspectives on different technologies on virtual reality gaming and the use of wearables (Louie et al., 2020; Stockley & Christian, 2022). However, due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications, it is important to look at how therapists perceive AI/ML, and design applications with potential barriers in mind. The purpose of this project is to gain practitioners’ perspectives on AI/ML in post-stroke assessment and intervention. This ongoing qualitative study uses a mixed methods design with surveys and focus groups. We recruited participants who have a caseload of at least 30% of persons post-stroke, were an occupational or physical therapy practitioner in the United States (US) or Asia, and speak English through emails and phone calls. Participants engaged in a 30-minute webinar to learn about AI/ML in post-stroke rehabilitation followed by a 30-minute focus group discussing their perceptions and the practical applications of the technology. They also completed a survey before and after this one-time virtual meeting. Preliminary analysis within this ongoing qualitative study includes therapist attitudes and their experience working with AI/ML, practical application to using AI/ML in therapy settings, as well as the difficulties that are associated with the technology such as time, cost, training, and equipment. The preliminary conclusions of the ongoing study indicate that practitioners can see the use of AI/ML being beneficial for post-stroke clients but are hesitant of the possibilities and the difficulties with the technology. AI/ML will affect occupational therapy practitioners as it will influence rehabilitation services in intervention and assessment in the future. The effectiveness of these technologies will be determined by the willingness and attitudes of practitioners as healthcare evolves with the future of rehabilitative care.
Louie, D. R., Bird, M. L., Menon, C., & Eng, J. J. (2020). Perspectives on the prospective development of stroke-specific lower extremity wearable monitoring technology: A qualitative focus group study with physical therapists and individuals with stroke. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-020-00666-6
Stockley, R. C., & Christian, D. L. (2022). A focus group study of therapists’ views on using a novel neuroanimation virtual reality game to deliver intensive upper-limb rehabilitation early after stroke. Archives of Physiotherapy, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-022-00139-0