Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
well as specific features of the services related to the technology and the match. The tool
is not only useful for professionals and researchers but also for AT designers, manufac-
turers, and retailers. The questionnaire is self-administered and requires approximately
10-15 min to fill out. The minimal writing skills needed are the ability to mark the answer
on a points scale and to write a comment. The three main goals of QUEST are (1) to assess
the degree of satisfaction that the user attributes to the eight items relating to the aid and
to the four items relating to the services, (2) to identify the sources of satisfaction or dis-
satisfaction of the user, and (3) to determine which aspects of satisfaction are considered
most important by the user for evaluating the assistive device. The 12 items about satis-
faction are divided in two parts: eight items are related to the device (size, weight control,
safety, durability, ease of use, comfort, and effectiveness) and four items are related to the
services. Each item is scored by the means of a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 “not
satisfied at all” to 5 “very satisfied.” To explore the reasons for user satisfaction/dissatis-
faction, there is a space for comments next to each item. After the 12-item list, the user/
client chooses the three most important aspects for his satisfaction from within another
list of 12 items. The QUEST, depending on the context, can be completed by the evaluator
or by the user if the evaluator is sure about the user's understanding of the items. If the
user/client does not have the motor, sensory, or cognitive skills required to complete the
questionnaire, the professional can interview him/her by asking the client to verbally
answer or to indicate the number chosen on the enlarged protocol sheet. If the user/client
is aged 0-12 years, a parent or a caregiver may answer in his place. The QUEST provides
three scores: one for the aid, one for the services, and a total score. The total score is useful
for comparisons with other satisfaction measures and for determining the weight of each
subscale score on overall satisfaction. Each score can vary from 1.00 (completely unsatis-
fied) to 5.00 (completely satisfied). The evaluation fails if the user does not answer more
than six items.
The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS; Day and Jutai 1996; Jutai
and Day 2002) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess the effects of an assistive
device on functional independence, well-being, and quality of life. The PIADS is com-
posed of three subquestionnaires that focus on (1) ability, which measures users' percep-
tions of their own competence; (2) adaptability, which measures users' willingness to
explore new experiences; and (3) self-esteem, which investigates users' emotions, such
as happiness, security, and confidence. The subquestionnaire focusing on ability is com-
posed of 12 items that investigate the effectiveness of general skills (feeling of adequacy,
efficiency and personal ability, etc.). The subquestionnaire on adaptability consists of
six items that aim to investigate the user/client's predisposition toward taking risks and
trying new experiences and their perceived feelings of well-being. The subquestion-
naire on self-esteem is composed of eight items that are related to general feelings of
emotional health, self-esteem, happiness, strength, and control. This questionnaire can
be used to assess the impact of AT and rehabilitation processes. It can also be used to
evaluate both the impact of aids, regardless of time limits, and as a comparison tool
between devices and users. PIADS can be administered to both adults and children
over the age of approximately 10 years old. The completion time is approximately 5 min.
The participants are asked to read a list of words or phrases describing how the use of
an assistive device may affect their life. Each item is rated on a seven-point Likert scale
from -3 (strongly untrue) to +3 (strongly true) to indicate the level by which they feel
influenced by the AT. Unlike most of the elements, which have positive values, three
items—confusion (5), frustration (10), and embarrassment (21)—have a negative rating
score. The participants are asked to fill in the questionnaire by ticking the box that best
