Stakeholder Perspectives on Facilitators of and Barriers to the Implementation of Internet of Things-Equipped Powered Wheelchairs in Sweden: Qualitative Case Study.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to proactively monitor the functioning of assistive products remains underexplored, particularly in public assistive technology services. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative single-case study investigated how a public assistive technology provider in Sweden implemented IoT-equipped assistive products. METHODS: The implementation process was mapped, and a thematic analysis of interviews with 6 participants representing key organizational roles was conducted. RESULTS: The process comprised 9 major events involving 4 main stakeholders. The findings included 4 themes of facilitators and 5 themes of barriers, which were synthesized into three meta-themes: (1) system-level structures that enable and constrain implementation, (2) tensions between technological potential and the challenges of realizing it, and (3) relational and cultural dynamics that balance trust with caution. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the importance of using a sociotechnical framework to guide the implementation of IoT in assistive technology services. Such a framework supports a holistic approach that integrates user needs, privacy considerations, and regulatory requirements, while drawing on leadership, technical expertise, and collaboration to address legal, organizational, technical, and user-related challenges. The implications for health care technology implementation are that organizations should adopt sociotechnical implementation strategies that account for legal, organizational, technical, and user-related considerations.