Acceptance of 3D Printing by Occupational Therapists: An Exploratory Survey Study.
Karin Slegers, Anna M Krieg, Monique A S Lexis
PMID 36636037WHAT IT FOUND
Most occupational therapists surveyed are keen to use 3D printing for assistive devices, especially those in developing economies.
However, many lack access to printers and struggle with design software, meaning positive intent does not yet translate into independent practice without support.
Key findings
01Participants showed high behavioural intention to use 3D printing technology, with all four key determinants of acceptance correlating positively with this intention.
02Occupational therapists working in developing economies reported higher intentions to use 3D printing and higher expectations of its benefits for job performance compared to those in developed economies.
03Among participants with prior experience, the majority indicated they do not feel capable of creating a 3D printed object on their own and require help, particularly with digital modelling.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was recruited via newsletters and social media specifically mentioning 3D printing, likely creating an inclusion bias where participants already interested in the technology were overrepresented. The dataset was heavily skewed towards European therapists, particularly from the Netherlands and Germany, limiting generalizability to other cultural contexts. The sample size was too small to perform predictive analyses, so the study only identifies correlations rather than causes. The survey adapted existing scales (e.g., changing a 7-point scale to 5-point) without validating these specific modifications for this population.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that high intention to use 3D printing means therapists are ready to implement it independently. The study shows that even experienced users struggle with digital modelling and need significant support, and the positive attitudes reported may be inflated by recruiting only those already interested in the technology.