Roles of assistive devices for home care staff in Sweden: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore home care staff experiences in relation to assistive devices and the use of assistive device at work.


METHODS
Individual conversational interviews with 14 home care staff were used. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data.


RESULTS
A broad meaning attached to the use of assistive devices at work emerged in three themes. In 'staff's role at work in relation to assistive devices', their different roles emerged in relation to knowledge and instruction as well as safeguarding the user. 'Assistive devices as a product and their significance for staff' showed that devices were an integrated part of staff work in the users' home. Devices influenced staff cooperation, feelings and were significant in relation to time and finance. Regarding 'assistive devices and their significance for the user from the staff's perspective', the staff felt that devices were a prerequisite for the user coping with everyday life and they also had an emotional significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Assistive devices play a significant and important role for home care staff. An increased understanding among prescribers and other health care staff about home care staff knowledge about, work with and experience from assistive devices could contribute to a better care and rehabilitation for home care recipients.
Pettersson
Ingvor
I
Orebro University, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Orebro, Sweden. ingvor.pettersson@oru.se
Fahlström
Gunilla
G
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult