Assistive Technology

Equipments and Technologies in Physiotherapy

Exposure to present the issues/content, raise problems and guide the students’ approach

Use of different cases to illustrate the topics under study

Discussion in small groups (4-5 students), common or various tasks.

Collaboration with companies and professionals in the field of AT for presentation, demonstration and handling of equipment.

Workshop for the elaboration of low-cost products and/or simple product adaptations.

After completing the course unit the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to:

Relate assistive technologies with human functionality;

Recognize policies for allocation and funding of assistive technologies;

Interpret the adoption cycle of a assistive technology;

Identify and select carefully the instruments of measurement of results in assistive technologies;

Analyze and adapt intervention strategies according to the measurement results according to the type of dimensions considered

Critically analyze the models and practical strategies in the various contexts of assistive technologies

Evaluate and apply the evidence of practice in the context of assistive technologies.

Thus, affective skills and competences are obtained: growth in emotional/behavioural and attitudinal areas; cognitive: reflective mental performance and knowledge; and psychomotor: practical-instrumental skills (manual performance).

Assistive Technology (AT): introduction

Definition and differentiation of AT from other technologies

Types of AT and ISO classification (3h)

Policies of allocation and funding of Assistive Technology in Portugal

Levels of prescription and funding (3h)

AT process and relation with physical therapy process (3h)

Scientific evidence and recommendations on AT.

Application of verticalization systems. Advantages and expected results (3h)

The team in AT (professionals, family, significant people, informal caregivers, user)

User centered approach

Physiotherapist role as pivot in the PA assignment process (6h)

Assessment and prescription centred on the person and not on the AT

Assistive Technology Assessment Process (ATA)/Matching Person and Technology model (6h)

Specific measuring instruments in AT.

Training in the application and interpretation of measures used (3h)

AT planning

Importance of team planning, user involvement, personal and contextual factors, inputs from significant persons (3h)

TA operationalization/implementation

Procedures required to apply for funding in different contexts

Analysis Prescription form for AT

Follow-up and user support

Evaluation in context

Personalised products (6h)

Analysis of case studies: positioning CR, examples in context of Occupational Activity Centre, 3D printing project (6h)

The assessment is part of the stipulated in the ACADEMIC REGULATIONS OF THE 1st STUDIES CYCLE OF ESTeSC-IPC.

Continuous Assessment (cumulative in nature, assuming regular monitoring of teaching activities, appealing to student proactivity and performance through tasks with and without prior scheduling):

1- Participation in classes (by answering challenges) = 20%.

 NOTE: Attendance of less than 80% of classes means that you will not be assessed in this component and will be awarded 0 (zero).

2- Group work with oral presentation = 25% (details will be given in writing to the students).

3- Group work with oral presentation = 25% (details will be given in writing to the students).

4- Individual work = 30% (details will be given in writing to the students).

Evaluation by Exam: Written test.

NAO