THE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN 

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 

Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree

MASTER OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN 

on Wednesday, April 20, 2022

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST

Via Microsoft Teams ​​ ​

Meeting Link: Click here

will be held the 

THESIS DEFENSE

for 

Shreya Shenai

Designing a Digital Interface to support Novice Occupational Therapists with Prescribing Assistive Devices

Advisor: 

Dr. Leila Aflatoony, Assistant Professor, School of Industrial Design, Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee: 

Timothy Purdy, Senior Lecturer, School of Industrial Design, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. William E. Janes, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L, Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Missouri

Faculty and students are invited to attend this presentation.

Abstract: 

Prescribing assistive technologies is a common task for occupational therapists to support people with physical impairments and disabilities in their daily living activities. However, providing AT prescriptions can be challenging for novice OTs as the process is deeply embedded in gaining tacit knowledge through clinical experiences and knowledge-sharing over time. In this study, we developed a web-based AR platform to support novice OTs decision-making process in prescribing ATs. The tool provides a step-by-step process grounded in OTs’ clinical reasoning and strategies for identifying appropriate ATs for their clients.

We used an iterative approach that included semi-structured interviews with expert OTs and OTs in academia, co-designing with novice OT practitioners using low-fidelity prototypes of the tool, and evaluating a proof-of-concept prototype of the tool for usability, satisfaction and usefulness through a user study with ten novice OT practitioners. We found that the tool supports novice OTs (e.g., OT students or recent graduates) in their profession, particularly AT prescription. Data analysis from the user study indicates benefits of the tool in the OT community and in the future AT prescription tools for novice OTs.