Date Presented 04/22/2023
This scoping review identifies outcome measures that evaluate the different domains of digital functioning assessments and examines their suitability for OT practice with the adult population.
Primary Author and Speaker: Adi Segal
Contributing Authors: Nancy W. Doyle
PURPOSE: The digital revolution is changing occupational demands for participation in meaningful activities and interactions. 93% of Americans use the Internet, 85% own a smartphone, and 31% report they are ‘almost constantly online’ (Pew Research Center, 2021). Occupational therapists need to evaluate digital functioning and skills at a rapidly growing rate. A survey study with OTs reveals that one of the most significant barriers to assessing a client’s digital functioning is the lack of standardized assessments. This study aims to review the existing outcome measures of technology and digital performance and their suitability for use in occupational therapy practice with adults.
DESIGN: A scoping review of existing outcome measures for evaluating different aspects of adults’ digital functioning in occupational therapy.
METHOD: Peer-reviewed articles exploring outcome measures that evaluate digital functioning were included. The search was conducted using the databases CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and GoogleScholar. Search terms were related to technology and digital competencies assessment.
RESULTS: This is an ongoing study. Preliminary findings include more than 30 assessments identified for use with adults in occupational therapy that assess digital literacy, problem-solving in a technology environment, attitudes toward technology, touchscreen manipulation, digital self-efficacy, and more. While some of the assessments are outdated or unsuitable for adults with disabilities, several outcome measures are adequate and can be regularly implemented in OT practice with adults.
CONCLUSION: The outcome measures presented in this study can help OTs identify tech-related intervention goals and clients’ digital functioning strengths. This scoping review provides opportunities for practitioners to reflect on their application of outcome measures for assessing digital functioning and digital environments in their practice.
References
Larsson-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. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022618776879
Pew Research Center. (2021, April). Mobile Fact Sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/
Oh, S. S., Kim, K. A., Kim, M., Oh, J., Chu, S. H., & Choi, J. (2021). Measurement of digital literacy among older adults: systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 23(2), e26145. https://doi.org/10.2196/26145
