The Psychosocial and Emotional Impact of Assistive Technology in the Home Expanding Understanding of Person–Equipment
Medical, Biological and other Sciences
ABOUT THE INDUSTRY PARTNER
At Ennova, they believe needing support is part of being human – not something to hide. Whether it’s recovery after surgery, navigating mobility challenges, caring for a parent, or adjusting to a new season of life, their products are designed to feel considered, modern, and at home in your space. Not cold. Not clinical. Not an afterthought.
Ennova’s products are designed here in Australia, shaped by real conversations with Australians who use them. They help you feel steady, comfortable, and like yourself – because support should fit into your life and reflect who you are.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
- Lead an applied research project with real-world impact, investigating an emerging area of assistive technology with the potential to inform both clinical practice and future product design.
- Develop practical research and analytical skills, including literature review, quantitative survey research, participant recruitment, data analysis, interpretation and translation of findings into evidence-informed recommendations.
- Work across academia, clinical practice and industry, engaging with occupational therapists, assistive technology users, academic supervisors and an Australian assistive technology company.
- Contribute to meaningful knowledge translation, with opportunities to develop research outputs that may support future publications, presentations, clinical education, design industry guidance and further research collaboration.
RESEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED
This project will investigate the psychosocial, emotional and aesthetic factors that may influence the acceptance, use and abandonment of physical assistive technology (AT) used within the home and community. The research will examine factors including aesthetics, identity, dignity, stigma, perceived medicalisation, personal preference, emotional response and person–equipment fit, and their relationship with how people experience and use AT.
The project will combine a structured review of relevant academic and clinical literature with primarily quantitative research involving people with lived experience of AT and occupational therapists involved in AT assessment, selection and prescription. Survey-based data collection will investigate whether, how and to what extent psychosocial and aesthetic factors are associated with AT acceptance, adoption, integration into daily life, ongoing use, rejection or abandonment. The research will also examine how these considerations are currently addressed within occupational therapy practice and identify factors that may enable or constrain their consideration during AT selection and prescription.
The findings will be analysed against the existing evidence base to identify potential implications for assistive technology design and development, clinical assessment and prescription, and future research. The project will remain evidence-led, with conclusions and recommendations determined by the research findings.
SKILLS WISH LIST
If you’re a postgraduate research student and meet some or all the below we want to hear from you. We strongly encourage women, indigenous and disadvantaged candidates to apply:
- Occupational Therapy or Psychology Student
- Strong research and critical appraisal skills, including the ability to review and synthesise academic and clinical literature.
- Experience or interest in quantitative research methods, including survey design, data collection and statistical analysis.
- Ability to interpret research findings and translate data into clear, evidence-informed conclusions and recommendations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including academic writing and communicating research to clinical and industry audiences.
- An interest in assistive technology, occupational therapy, disability, ageing, healthcare, human-centred design or related fields.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with academic, clinical, industry and lived-experience stakeholders.
- Experience with statistical analysis software or survey platforms would be advantageous but is not essential.
RESEARCH OUTCOMES
- Establish an evidence-informed understanding of whether and how psychosocial and aesthetic factors are associated with the acceptance, adoption, integration, ongoing use, rejection or abandonment of assistive technology.
- Quantify the importance and experience of factors such as aesthetics, identity, dignity, stigma, perceived medicalisation, personal preference, emotional response and person–equipment fit among people with lived experience of assistive technology.
- Identify how psychosocial and aesthetic considerations are currently incorporated into assistive technology assessment, selection and prescription, including key barriers and enablers experienced by occupational therapists and AT users.
- Identify evidence-informed implications and recommendations, where supported by the findings, for assistive technology design and development, clinical practice and future research.
- Produce a final research report that clearly documents the evidence, methodology, findings, limitations and recommendations, providing a foundation for potential future research, publication and knowledge translation.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
The intern will receive $3,300 per month of the internship, usually in the form of scholarship payments.
It is expected that the intern will primarily undertake this research project during regular business hours and maintain contact with their academic mentor throughout the internship either through face-to-face or phone meetings as appropriate.
The intern and their academic mentor will have the opportunity to negotiate the project’s scope, milestones and timeline during the project planning stage.
Please note, applications are reviewed regularly and this internship may be filled prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is identified. Early submissions are encouraged.
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