From Makerspaces to Practice: 3D Printing Expansion to Improve Assistive Technology Access.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Assistive Technology
• 3D Printing Technology

Background:

• The demand for assistive technology (AT) is increasing, presenting opportunities for innovative solutions.
• 3D printing enables the creation of customized AT devices, enhancing client participation and well-being.
• Current adoption of 3D printing in occupational therapy (OT) practice is limited by several barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose strategies for overcoming barriers to 3D printing adoption in OT practice.
• To advocate for the integration of 3D printing into OT education and clinical settings.
• To emphasize the need for validated outcome measures for 3D-printed AT devices.

Main Methods:

• This commentary proposes a tiered approach for educational expansion and integration.
• It advocates for the development and utilization of validated outcome measures.
• Focus is placed on client-reported satisfaction and participation metrics.

Main Results:

• Limited practitioner awareness, insufficient training, and practical challenges hinder 3D printing adoption in OT.
• A tiered educational approach and integration into training settings are proposed.
• Validated outcome measures focusing on participatory outcomes are crucial.

Conclusions:

• Expanding educational opportunities and developing validated assessment tools are key to broader 3D printing integration in OT.
• Prioritizing client-reported outcomes ensures 3D-printed devices meet occupational goals.
• Collaborative efforts between clients and practitioners will enhance AT access through 3D printing.