NSW Brain Injury Rehabilitation Forum May 2011

 

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Implementing Smart phone technology
across the NSW BIRP network
EMMA CHARTERS and MEGAN CAMERON, Liverpool Health Service

 

Title: Implementing and evaluating smart phone application technology across the NSW brain injury rehabilitation program (BIRP) network

Authors: Emma Charters & Megan Cameron, Liverpool Health Service

In recent years, the Smart Phone has emerged as a tool that functions as a telephone, internet service and has multiple applications available for down load. Clinicians in health care settings have begun to use this technology to assist their clients with a range of individualised therapy tasks1. Studies such as Schoenberg et al, 2008 and Thorton et ai, 2008 have shown that a Smart Phone has the ability to compensate for executive functioning and communication impairments where traditional devices have been unsuccessful.2

Interdisciplinary discussion, current research, practice and personal experience led clinicians to consider the use of Smart Phone technology in the BIRU. A pilot case series was carried out in 2010 where results indicated that the Smart Phone was an age appropriate compensatory therapeutic tool which could allow client specific goal setting, attainment, generalisation and maintenance. Currently there are no comprehensive resources available for the use of Smart Phones and their applications.

As such, our aims are firstly to develop an interactive resource connected to the BIRP website inclusive of indications for smart phone trial, client training, interactive goal and application spreadsheet, online discussion forum for BIRP members, access to smart phone protocol, an impairment accessibility flow chart and funding request templates. Our second aim is to conduct a research study examining if Smart Phone technology can facilitate client centred goal setting and acquisition following a non-progressive acquired brain injury in a time effective manner. We plan to begin developing the online resource in 2011, with input received via workshops held for BIRP members. The website resource development will run concurrently with the research project comparing the effectiveness of goal setting and attainment for patients in the BIRU using traditional methods and smart phone technology.