Decision-Making Is in the Making! Aspects of Decision-Making in the Area of Assistive and Welfare Technology-A Qualitative Study

Assistive and welfare technology (AT/WT) has been introduced as a way of facing an ageing population and providing support for older adults in their daily lives. There is much research concerning the assessment and recommendation of AT/WT to individual end-users. However, few studies have explored A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2021-04, Vol.18 (8), p.4028
Main Authors: Baudin, Katarina, Sundström, Angelina, Borg, Johan, Gustafsson, Christine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive technology
Aging
assistive technology
assistive technology organizations
Decision making
Design
Handicapped assistance devices
Interviews
managers
New technology
older adults
Older people
Organizations
Participation
Qualitative research
Research methodology
System theory
thematic analysis
welfare technology
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Summary:Assistive and welfare technology (AT/WT) has been introduced as a way of facing an ageing population and providing support for older adults in their daily lives. There is much research concerning the assessment and recommendation of AT/WT to individual end-users. However, few studies have explored AT/WT decision-making from a managerial perspective. This study explores what aspects influence decision-making in assistive technology organizations concerning new technology procurements. The study is based on interviews with 24 managers engaged in assistive technology organizations, representing 13 of 21 regions in Sweden. The interview data consisted of the participants' experiences deciding on AT/WT procurement. A reflexive inductive thematic analysis was used to identify aspects that influenced decision-making. The main findings show that decision-making is in the making, meaning that decision-making is a constant on-going managerial process. Furthermore, the findings show that managers experience uncertainty in the decision-making, sometimes make ad hoc decisions and request an evidence-based, person-centred approach to improve decision-making. The study concludes that supportive, technology, patient, and knowledge aspects influence managers' decisions.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph18084028