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The Use of Assistive Technology to Promote Care of the Self and Social Inclusion in Patients with Sequels of Leprosy
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 10, Iss 4, p e0004644 (2016)
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background This study is about the contribution of occupational therapy inside a rehabilitation group, and we focus on the autonomy of patients with disabilities due to leprosy. There are few studies on the use of assistive technology by leprosy patients; to our knowledge, none of them aim to have a subjective approach of care. Our purpose was to analyze the repercussions of assistive technology on autonomy of care of the self in patients with sequels of leprosy. Methods A qualitative, descriptive exploratory study with a semi-structured interview and a field observation as a research method was conducted between November 2014 and February 2015 at a University Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Findings Eight patients from the service of Occupational Therapy were interviewed, and 44 hours of observation were performed. Interviews followed a semi-structured script and a field journal was used to take notes. Analysis was conducted by the hermeneutic approach. Costs were obtained after a global cost analysis of the fixed and variable expenses and direct and indirect costs to the manufactured products with an amount of 100 dollars. Results were grouped according to the following categories: contribution of the adapted devices for the care of the self and feelings and sensations provoked by the use of self-help devices. The reports revealed feelings, perceptions and meaningful contents about the social, familiar and individual dimensions, also the stigma coupled with leprosy. However, forms of re-signification were elaborated. Conclusions Assistive technology empowers the subject to perform care of the self and promotes social inclusion.<br />Author Summary This study is about occupational therapy and we focus on the autonomy of patients with disabilities due to leprosy. Our purpose was to analyze the repercussions of assistive technology on the autonomy of care of the self in patients with sequels of leprosy We performed a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study between November 2014 and February 2015 at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, and interviewed eight patients. Analysis was conducted by the hermeneutic approach. The following categories were studied: contribution of the adapted devices for the care of the self and feelings and sensations provoked by the use of self-help devices. The reports revealed feelings, perceptions and meaningful contents about the social, familiar and individual dimensions, also the stigma coupled with leprosy. Assistive technology is an approach with a powering potential that provides tools for the subject's care of the self and promotes social inclusion.
- Subjects :
- Bacterial Diseases
Social Sciences
Hands
Indirect costs
0302 clinical medicine
Learning and Memory
Medicine and Health Sciences
Medicine
Psychology
Public and Occupational Health
Social isolation
Musculoskeletal System
media_common
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
05 social sciences
Health services research
Qualitative Studies
Arms
Infectious Diseases
Feeling
Social Isolation
Research Design
Sensory Perception
Health Services Research
medicine.symptom
Anatomy
Autonomy
Research Article
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Occupational therapy
medicine.medical_specialty
lcsh:Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Patients
lcsh:RC955-962
media_common.quotation_subject
Disabilities
030231 tropical medicine
Exploratory research
Research and Analysis Methods
Interviews as Topic
03 medical and health sciences
Human Learning
Nursing
Leprosy
0502 economics and business
Humans
Learning
Disabled Persons
business.industry
Limbs (Anatomy)
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cognitive Psychology
Biology and Life Sciences
lcsh:RA1-1270
Self-Help Devices
Tropical Diseases
Self Care
Health Care
Cognitive Science
050211 marketing
business
Qualitative research
Neuroscience
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19352735
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS neglected tropical diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....09a8d4980b194c54e75ad88be2f9ffd7