부산대학교 도서관

Introduction: In occupational therapy, three-dimensional printing is being explored as an alternative design and manufacturing technique to the conventional fabrication of orthotics and assistive devices. The global applications and literature are rapidly growing, but the South African - specific literature is deficient. The Technology Acceptance Model depicts that one's perception of any particular technology is a significant determinant of their acceptance of it, determining whether the technology system is successfully adopted or disregarded. Aim: To determine the perceived acceptance of three-dimensional printing technology amongst occupational therapists in KwaZulu-Natal and whether exposure to the technology system, in the form of a three-dimensional printing workshop, influences their perception of the technology. Method: The study followed a multi-method design consisting of two phases; phase one involved the creation of the intervention tool (workshop), which was developed through a process guided by Design-Based Research. Phase two involved the implementation of the intervention and data collection. Therapists documented their perceptions in a questionnaire before and after exposure; following a pre and post-test design, enabling comparison. The questionnaires were based on the Technology Acceptance Model, including 13 questions scored on a seven-point Likert scale and five open-ended questions. The quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results: All four categories of the Technology Acceptance Model-based questionnaire displayed a significant change (p < 0.05) between the pre and post-test responses, with a medium effect size. Conclusion: Exposure to three-dimensional printing influences therapists' perception of the technology.