Breakthrough Technology service For Non-communicable Patients.

Abstract Description

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Authors (including presenting author) :

Shum MHH (1), Chan KLM (1)

Affiliation :

Community Rehabilitation Service Support Centre, QEH

Introduction :

With advancement of technology, patient with various diseases resulting in non-communicable could be benefit from using computer, tablet or even mobile phone. The clients with sensory-motor dysfunction or chronic illness which limit their communication are our potential clients. For example, Dysphasia/aphasia due to acquired brain injury Motor Neuron Disease Tetraplegia Limbs control problem (e.g. ataxic, amputee, peripheral nerve problem) Other communication problem or limited participation in the daily environmental context due to communication needs. The service is mainly developed for encountering the communication impairment for people with various sensori-motor disabilities. Communication could be divided into verbal and non-verbal means. Verbal could be divided into pre-recorded speech and computer synthesized speech in patient’s native language. Non-verbal means include all those social network media in the Internet, daily texting and chatting using computer or mobile phone, sending e-text through email or other clouding media.

Objectives :

The objective of this study is to review the effectiveness of the Assistive technology prescription for Non-communicable Patients

Methodology :

Goal attainment scale (GAS) is adopted to setup treatment goal. The goal of communication function and need is referred to the recommendation from Shane et al., 2012 which has 9 categories in communication function: 1.Interpersonal communication (face to face, phone, social media) 2.Information gathering (e.g. access web site) 3.Online services (banking, shopping) 4.Entertainment (Digital books, newspaper) 5.Education (online course/ebook) 6.Employment (worksite access, mobile station) 7.Healthy and safety (Dial 999 and ask for help) 8.Tools( Phone, calculator, dictionary) 9.Public services & facilities (ATM, online check in)

Result & Outcome :

16 subjects who have attended service from CRSSC are analyzed. Their age ranged from 28-72. 3 of them suffered from motor neuron disease, 3 of them suffering from brain injury, 4 of them suffered from cerebral palsy and 6 of them suffering from stroke. All of the users achieved the goal after the AT prescription of communication device. They could use various combinations of software and hardware for digital communication. The change score in GAS ranged from 24.84 to 31.05. All of them had achieved the communication goal and 4 of the 16 clients even slightly exceed the goal set for communication. Different forms of assistive technology (laptop/ tablet computer, ipad, android tablet, eye tracking device, adaptive switches) have been prescribed according to clients' abilities.