Logo French Journal of Occupational Therapy

Original Article

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): FJOT 2026

Intégration de la prescription d’aides techniques à la pratique des ergothérapeutes français

Submitted
2025 June 29
Published
2026-09-16

Abstract

Integration of Assistive Devices Prescription into French Occupational Therapists Practice

Background. Since 2023, French occupational therapists have been authorised to prescribe certain assistive devices under specific conditions. This regulatory change addresses a long-standing professional demand, but its practical uptake remains poorly documented.

Objectives. This study aimed to quantify the use of assistive devices prescriptions by French occupational therapists and to identify contextual factors influencing its integration into daily practice.

Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2024 using an online questionnaire distributed nationwide through social media and professional association mailing lists, across all fields of practice. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic data, work context, perceived competence, and prescription experience. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyse associations between prescription practice and various contextual variables. National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) data complemented the survey results.

Results. Among 262 respondents, 40% reported having prescribed at least one assistive device. Prescription practice was significantly associated with the systematic availability of a prior medical prescription (p<0.01), type of workplace (p=0.01), proportion of activity dedicated to assistive devices (p=0.02), and working with older adults (p<0.01). Main barriers included the complexity of the regulatory framework, insufficient interprofessional collaboration, and limited access to appropriate training.

Conclusion. The uptake of the new right to prescribe assistive devices remains limited and is strongly conditioned by the availability of a prior medical prescription rather than by individual competence. These findings highlight the need to consider adjustments to the practice framework and to strengthen training and institutional support to promote effective integration of this responsibility into routine occupational therapy practice.

References

  1. Arrêté du 22 juillet 2022 modifiant l’arrêté du 30 juillet 2021 abrogeant l’arrêté du 18 février 2021 relatif à l’expérimentation nationale d’équipes locales d’accompagnement sur les aides techniques (EqLAAT).
  2. Arrêté du 12 juin 2023 relatif aux conditions de prescriptions des dispositifs médicaux et aides techniques par les ergothérapeutes (2023).
  3. Arrêté du 6 février 2025 portant modification des modalités de prise en charge de dispositifs médicaux et prestations associées pour la prise en charge des véhicules pour personnes en situation de handicap (VPH) aux titres I et IV de la liste prévue à l’article L. 165-1 (LPP) du code de la sécurité sociale.
  4. Article L4331-1 du Code de la santé publique.
  5. Association nationale française des ergothérapeutes. (2024). Prescription des aides techniques par les ergothérapeutes (Recommandations professionnelles). ANFE.
  6. Bethlehem, J. (2010). Selection Bias in Web Surveys. International Statistical Review, 78(2), 161‑188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-5823.2010.00112.x
  7. Circulaire DGCS/SD3A n°2011-110 du 23 mars 2011 relative à la mise en œuvre des mesures médico-sociales du plan Alzheimer.
  8. Coin, F. (2008). Le point sur le droit de prescription en kinésithérapie. Kinésithérapie la Revue, 8(83), 14‑20. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1779-0123(08)70679-x
  9. Conseil national de l’ordre des médecins. (2024). Atlas de la démographie médicale en France. Situation au 1er janvier 2024. CNOM.
  10. Damschroder, L. J., Aron, D. C., Keith, R. E., Kirsh, S. R., Alexander, J. A., & Lowery, J. C. (2009). Fostering implementation of health services research findings into practice: A consolidated framework for advancing implementation science. Implementation Science, 4(1), 50.
  11. Denormandie, P., & Chevalier, C. (2020). Des aides techniques pour l’autonomie des personnes en situation de handicap ou âgées : Une réforme structurelle indispensable. CNSA.
  12. Direction de la recherche, des études, de l’évaluation et des statistiques. (2023). Le handicap en chiffres. DREES.
  13. Fixsen, D. L., Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature (FMHI Publication No. 231). University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network.
  14. Graham, I. D., Logan, J., Harrison, M. B., Straus, S. E., Tetroe, J., Caswell, W., & Robinson, N. (2006). Lost in knowledge translation: Time for a map? Journal Of Continuing Education In The Health Professions, 26(1), 13‑24. https://doi.org/10.1002/chp.47
  15. Greenhalgh, T., Robert, G., Macfarlane, F., Bate, P., & Kyriakidou, O. (2004). Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: Systematic review and recommendations. The Milbank Quarterly, 82(4), 581-629.
  16. Haute Autorité de santé. (2007). Acquisition d’une aide technique : quels acteurs ? Quel processus ? Rapport de la commission d’audition – Recommandations et rapport d’orientation. HAS.
  17. Haute Autorité de santé. (2008). Délégation, transferts, nouveaux métiers… Comment favoriser des formes nouvelles de coopération entre professionnels de santé ? Recommandation HAS en collaboration avec l’ONDPS.
  18. Hosmer, D. W., Jr, Lemeshow, S., & Sturdivant, R. X. (2013). Applied Logistic Regression. John Wiley & Sons.
  19. Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Importance Across Populations and Settings. (2024). American Journal Of Occupational Therapy, 78(Supplement 1). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.78s107
  20. Jarvis, F., Clemson, L. M., & Mackenzie, L. (2016). Technology for dementia: Attitudes and practices of occupational therapists in providing assistive technology for way finding. Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology, 12(4), 373‑377. https://doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2016.1173729
  21. Loi n° 2025-1403 du 30 décembre 2025 de financement de la sécurité sociale pour 2026.
  22. Manship, S., Hatzidimitriadou, E., Moore, J., Stein, M., Towse, D., & Smith, R. (2023). The experiences and perceptions of health-care professionals regarding assistive technology training: A systematic review. Assistive Technology: The Official Journal of RESNA, 36(2), 123‑146. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2023.2219294
  23. Pilli, K., Worne, B., & Simpson, G. (2023). Clinician experiences with using assistive technology in brain injury rehabilitation: A survey of clinician capability, attitudes, and barriers. Brain Impairment, 24(2), 185‑203. https://doi.org/10.1017/BrImp.2023.5
  24. Synergo (2008). Livre Blanc de l’Ergothérapie : 10 propositions des ergothérapeutes pour une réponse adaptée aux besoins de la société française.
  25. Tourangeau, R., Rips, L. J., & Rasinski, K. (2000). The Psychology of Survey Response. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511819322
  26. World Federation of Occupational Therapists (2019). Global indicators of assistive technology use amongst occupational therapists. Report from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ (WFOT) Global Surveys. WFOT.
  27. World Health Organization & United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (2022). Global report on assistive technology. WHO.

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.