Stakeholder Perspectives on Facilitators of and Barriers to the Implementation of Internet of Things-Equipped Powered Wheelchairs in Sweden: Qualitative Case Study.

BACKGROUND

The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to proactively monitor the functioning of assistive products remains underexplored, particularly in public assistive technology services.

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative single-case study investigated how a public assistive technology provider in Sweden implemented IoT-equipped assistive products.

METHODS

The implementation process was mapped, and a thematic analysis of interviews with 6 participants representing key organizational roles was conducted.

RESULTS

The process comprised 9 major events involving 4 main stakeholders. The findings included 4 themes of facilitators and 5 themes of barriers, which were synthesized into three meta-themes: (1) system-level structures that enable and constrain implementation, (2) tensions between technological potential and the challenges of realizing it, and (3) relational and cultural dynamics that balance trust with caution.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore the importance of using a sociotechnical framework to guide the implementation of IoT in assistive technology services. Such a framework supports a holistic approach that integrates user needs, privacy considerations, and regulatory requirements, while drawing on leadership, technical expertise, and collaboration to address legal, organizational, technical, and user-related challenges. The implications for health care technology implementation are that organizations should adopt sociotechnical implementation strategies that account for legal, organizational, technical, and user-related considerations.