TECHNOLOGY FEATURE
online risks worsening the impact of loneliness, isolation and
occupational deprivation on marginalised groups, and increasing the
health inequities associated with older age, education and poverty
(Azzopardi-Muscate and Sørensen 2019).
It’s clear, that there has never been a more pressing time to
consider the participation of individuals and communities who
access our services in the online environment/occupation.
Individuals who are digitally excluded may struggle to access
remote health and care services as well as lose their roles and ability
to participate in wider societal activities like banking, shopping and
virtual social groups.
However, it does not have to be so. A report from the Phoenix
Centre (2009) highlighted the positive effects of digital participation.
Older people who have access to the internet are three times less
likely to be socially excluded. Retired adults who use the internet
have 20 per cent less depression, showing the benefits of digital
participation.
During lockdown, there have been many excellent examples of
communities coming together online, removing physical, cultural and
societal barriers to participation in the space; from mutual aid groups
organising peer support initiatives, to third sector organisations
providing tech equipment and cultural opportunities.
Occupational therapists are expertly placed to be a part of this;
they have the expertise to analyse the activity demands presented
by participation in the digital environment, considering a person’s
physical and cognitive capabilities, as well as the impact of the social
and physical environment (Nygard and Rosenberg, 2016).
Call to action
We know that occupational therapists are already working on
supporting people with digital literacy and enabling participation in a
range of occupations, from social groups, work roles and improving
access, to services.
We would like to hear and receive examples from members
and those who access occupational therapy services on: how
occupational therapists have worked with citizens to co-produce
digitally accessible services; the skills occupational therapists need
to lead on digital inclusive practice; how occupational therapists
enable all people to participate in a range of online occupational
roles; and what do occupational therapists need to feel equipped to
enable the people/communities you work with to participate in online
occupations?
References
Azzopardi-Muscat N and Sorensen K (2019) Towards an equitable digital
public health era: promoting equity through a health literacy perspective,
European Journal of Public Health, 29(3) 13-17 DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz166
Clayton J and Macdonald SJ (2013) The limits of technology, Information,
Communication and Society, 16(6): 945-966. DOI:
10.1080/1369118X.2012.748817
Easton C (2013) An examination of the internet’s development as a
disabling environment in the context of the social model of disability and
Fischl et al (2020) utilised a multiple case study
methodology to explore how tailoring to support
older adults’ engagement in digital technology (DT)
mediated occupations could be schematised. Nine
older adults from Northern Sweden each participated
in a collaborative process to support DT-mediated
occupations. Data collection included structured
interviews (guided by a battery of instruments),
observations, field notes and final semi-structured
interviews (eight individuals participated in a final
interview). Data analysis involved cross-case synthesis.
The findings are presented as a proposed scheme,
EVIDENCE LINK
consisting of steps built from strategies used in
the cases. The authors suggest this scheme could
contribute to occupational therapists’ knowledge
on how to support older adults’ engagement in
contemporary occupations, but requires further testing
in various practice settings.
Reference
Fischl C, Blusi M, Lindgren H, Nilsson I (2020)
Tailoring to support digital technology-mediated
occupational engagement for older adults – a
multiple case study. Scandinavian Journal of
Occupational Therapy, May 12. [Epub ahead of print].
anti-discrimination legislation in the UK and USA, Universal Access in
the Information Society, (12)1: 105-114. DOI: 10.1007/s10209-011-
0268-2
Larson-Lund, M (2018) The digital society: Occupational therapists need to
act proactively to meet the growing demands of digital competence,
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81(12): 733-735. Available at:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0308022618776879
Helsper EJ and van Deursen AJAM (2017) Do the rich get digitally richer?
Quantity and quality of support for digital engagement, Information,
Communication and Society, 20:5, 700-714, DOI:
10.1080/1369118X.2016.1203454
NHS England (2018) Improving access for all: reducing inequalities in
access to general practice services. Available online at: www.england.
nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/inequalities-resource-sep-2018.pdf
Nygård L and Rosenberg L (2016) How attention to everyday technology
could contribute to modern occupational therapy: A focus group study.
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(8): 467-474. Available at:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0308022615613354
Office for National Statistics (2019) Internet users UK; 2019. Available at:
www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/itandinternetindustry/
bulletins/internetusers/2019
Phoenix Center (2009) Internet use and depression among the elderly.
Phoenix Center policy paper No. 38
Joel Reynolds and Suzy England, RCOT professional advisers,
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
OTnews July 2020 59