ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS FOR PEOPLE WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES CENTERING DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES

People with severe disabilities require support in performing activities of daily living (ADL), from personal care to technological support. For people with disabilities, digital healthcare is effective in improving their ability to perform ADLs. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the digital healthcare needs of people with severe disabilities in ADL. Qualitative data were collected from in-depth individual interviews and focus group interviews from 16 participants. Transcripts of interviews were then analyzed, and the essential factors were identified. Twenty-eight difficulty factors related to ADL were defined according to the type of disability. Factors requiring digital healthcare were specified in accordance with the qualitative analysis performed on the interview results. Appropriate tasks were established according to disability, such as posture control and emergency management for individuals with cervical spinal injury; communication and posture control in adults with cerebral palsy; communication and toileting monitoring for parents of children with disabilities; and emergency management, breathing exercise, and oxygen saturation management for individuals with muscular dystrophy. All factors identified in the study conform to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) codes. This study will contribute toward understanding the needs of people with severe disability in terms of digital healthcare.