Theme 3: acceptability of technology, connecting with the world
MINOR
Participants and occupational therapists described using iPads for home practice as i.) acceptable, ii.) portable, iii.) involving minimal barriers and iv.) demonstrating importance of supports in learning how to use technology in the MBSR program.OT#1 noticed participants’ enthusiasm and receptiveness to technology, stating, “They’re in love with technology! They’re open to it … “. Many participants echoed similar sentiments and were “grateful for the opportunity to learn to use the iPad (P#23, age 74)”. Secondly, OT#2 described computer tablets as, as portable and therefore accessible for home practice because of their “particular size of the device … [and] … very accessible at the touch of a button”. Participants noted that they could use their headphones and do a practice in any room of their home. The only two minor barriers from participants’ perspectives on technology use included the learning curve and access to Wi-Fi when outside their homes. Lastly, it is important to ensure that assistance is available and integral to support participants’ success in learning and using technology independently. No participants raised any challenges about the program or identified any barriers to the acceptability of the technology.