Rhoda Weiss-Lambrou

Development of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST)

This studys purpose was to develop a clinical instrument designed to evaluate user satisfaction with assistive technology devices. This paper describes the methodology used to develop the instrument entitled the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST). Based on the theoretical and practical foundations of assistive technology as well as on the concept of satisfaction, preliminary versions of the instrument were created and examined by a panel of team participants. After the panels recommendations were incorporated, a pretest of the revised instrument was conducted and the final French version of QUEST emerged. The originality of QUEST lies in its inter-activeness and user-directed approach to assessing satisfaction with assistive technology. From a set of 27 variables, the user is asked to indicate the degree of importance he/she attributes to each of the satisfaction variables and then to rate his/her degree of satisfaction with each of the variables considered (quite or very) important. While QUEST remains a clinical instrument undergoing pilot testing, it holds much promise in our quest for a reliable and valid means of assessing assistive technology outcome from the users perspective.

Item Analysis of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST)

The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) is an outcomes assessment tool designed to measure satisfaction with assistive technology in a structured and standardized way. The purpose of this article is to present the results of an analysis of the 24 items comprising QUEST and to explain how a subset of items demonstrating optimal measurement performance was selected. The criteria against which the items were measured were general acceptability, content validity, contribution to internal consistency, test–retest stability, and sensitivity. The items that ranked best in terms of these measurement properties were submitted to factorial analysis in order to complete the item selection. The first series of analyses reduced the item pool approximately by half, and the second series of analyses led to the final selection of 12 items. Factor analysis results suggested a bidimensional structure of satisfaction with assistive technology related to the assistive technology device (eight items) and services (four items). The 12-item revised version that will result from this study should prove to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring outcomes in the field of assistive technology.

KEY DIMENSIONS OF CLIENT SATISFACTION WITH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: A CROSS-VALIDATION OF A CANADIAN MEASURE IN THE NETHERLANDS

The purpose of this study was to conduct a cross-validation of the bidimensional structure of a satisfaction measure with assistive technology. Data were drawn from a follow-up study of 243 subjects who had been administered the Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST). Ratings related to 12 satisfaction items were analysed. Factor analysis results showed that the underlying structure of satisfaction with assistive technology consists of two dimensions related to assistive technology, Device (eight items) and Services (four items), accounting for 40% of the common variance. This finding was consistent with a previous Canadian study and was interpreted as supporting the adequacy and stability of the QUEST measure of satisfaction. Although the structure is delineated, further studies are recommended to support its use in European countries.

Peer Review and Journal Publication

i The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy (CJOT) plays a major role in the generation, dissemination and application of knowledge in occupational therapy; it serves to promote the advancement and development of theory, practice, research and education in our profession. Like many other scholarly journals, CJOT is a peer-reviewed journal whereby manuscripts submitted for publication are reviewed by the authors peers (i.e. occupational therapists and/ or other health professionals); the process by which this is done is referred to as the peer review process. The importance of peer review has not always been clearly understood, and consequently there are many readers and potential authors who do not recognize or appreciate its value. Although the publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal does not necessarily guarantee its validity and reliability, the peer review process does provide an effective mechanism for identifying those articles that should be published. It also serves to assist authors in improving the readability and writing s tyle of their manuscript and in correcting ce rtain errors or omissions of information. In some cases, it will detect a work that is guilty of fraud, plagiarism, multiple submissions or duplicate publications. Thus the ultimate goal of CJOTs peer review process is to publish original and timely a rticles that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in occupational therapy. For clinicians, publishing a journal a rticle is a means of sharing experience and expe rtise with a large reading audience; it may promote career advancement, job security and a heightened sense of accomplishment. For academics and researchers, publishing an a rticle in a peer-reviewed journal is a means of disseminating research results and serves as a vehicle for grant funding, promotion, tenure and scholarly recognition (Luey, 1987). The growth, development and value of any scholarly journal depends upon its readers and authors. In order for our journal to continue to flourish and expand, both quantitatively and qualitatively, more occupational therapists must become active readers and published authors. By better understanding how and why manuscripts are selected for publication in CJOT, perhaps a greater number of readers will submit quality manuscripts, become published authors and contribute to the body of knowledge in occupational therapy.

Use of a mobile device in mental health rehabilitation: A clinical and comprehensive analysis of 11 cases

This study aimed to test the feasibility of using a mobile device (Apple technology: iPodTouch®, iPhone® or iPad®) among people with severe mental illness (SMI) in a rehabilitation and recovery process and to document the parameters to be taken into account and the issues involved in implementing this technology in living environments and mental health care settings. A qualitative multiple case study design and multiple data sources were used to understand each case in depth. A clinical and comprehensive analysis of 11 cases was conducted with exploratory and descriptive aims (and the beginnings of explanation building). The multiple-case analysis brought out four typical profiles to illustrate the extent of integration of a personal digital assistant (PDA) as a tool to support mental health rehabilitation and recovery. Each profile highlights four categories of variables identified as determining factors in this process: (1) state of health and related difficulties (cognitive or functional); (2) relationship between comfort level with technology, motivation and personal effort deployed; (3) relationship between support required and support received; and (4) the living environment and follow-up context. This study allowed us to consider the contexts and conditions to be put in place for the successful integration of mobile technology in a mental health rehabilitation and recovery process.