Making Assistive Technology More Sustainable in Occupational Therapy

Introduction: Healthcare is a major contributor to global waste and emissions, with assistive devices often following a linear model of production, use, and disposal. Occupational therapists (OTs) play a key role in assistive technology (AT) prescription, yet traditional models rarely attempt to maximize sustainability by integrating circular economy principles including reuse, refurbishment, and sustainable design. As climate change intensifies, embedding circularity into OT practice is essential for reducing environmental impact while ensuring client-centred care. This presentation explores systemic barriers, opportunities, and future directions for sustainable AT prescription.

Objectives: This presentation will:

• Describe circularity considerations in OT AT prescription and its relevance to sustainability.

• Present circular economy models in healthcare.

• Identify opportunities for OTs to implement sustainable AT prescription at individual, institutional, and policy levels.

Approach: We will present a literature review of circular approaches in AT prescription, including reuse, rental, refurbishment, and policy. Successful models emphasize digital tracking, policy incentives, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Findings were synthesized to identify key enablers and barriers to implementing circular models in practice.

Practice Implications: While circularity is gaining recognition in healthcare, widespread adoption remains limited due to a combination of regulatory, logistical, and attitudinal barriers. OTs can advocate for sustainable procurement, engage in policy development, and implement reuse strategies while maintaining high-quality client care. OTs can also encourage companies to reduce carbon emissions during production, development and refurbishment.

Contribution to the Occupational Therapy Profession: OTs have a responsibility to integrate sustainable practices into equipment prescription. By embracing circularity, the profession can lead innovation in environmental responsibility, ensuring ethical and sustainable healthcare for the future.