Telecare, obtrusiveness, acceptance and use: An empirical exploration

Introduction Telecare is increasingly part of the United Kingdom (UK)’s health and social care arrangements, and therefore occupational therapists’ practice. Understanding factors which influence telecare’s acceptance and usage is important to ensure optimal outcomes, both for service users and health and social care systems. Method This paper uses data collected by a qualitative, multi-method, longitudinal research study (n = 60) to explore whether an American model of ‘obtrusiveness’ is applicable to the UK context by examining what factors influence older adults’ acceptance and use of telecare. Findings The obtrusiveness model is broadly applicable to the UK context, but there are also two further issues which affected the acceptance and use of telecare: the degree of control a service user feels they have and the information and support they receive in using their devices. Conclusion The obtrusiveness model, plus the two additions (control and information), highlight important issues which could assist professionals working with telecare, including occupational therapists, in ensuring telecare is both accepted and well used.