Technology for managing incontinence: What are the research priorities?

Incontinence and toileting difficulties can often be successfully addressed by treating their underlying causes. However, (complete) cure is not always possible and continence products to prevent or contain unresolved leakage or to facilitate toileting are in widespread use. Many people use them successfully but identifying the product(s) most likely to meet individual needs can be challenging and the recently published Seventh International Consultation on Incontinence includes a chapter which draws on the literature to provide evidence-based recommendations to help clinicians and product users to select appropriate products. This paper is based on the same evidence, but reviewed from the different perspective of those keen to identify unmet needs and develop improved products. For each of the main continence product categories it (i) outlines the design approach and key features of what is currently available; (ii) provides a generic functional design specification; (iii) reviews how well existing products meet the requirements of their main user groups; and (iv) suggests priorities for the attention of product designers. It also flags some core scientific problems which - if successfully addressed - would likely yield benefits in multiple incontinence product contexts.

Multicase study on product design in the area of assistive technology in Brazil

Purpose: The present research aims to contribute to the comprehension of the product development process (PDP) of Assistive Technology (AT) through methodological multi-case studies in Brazil. The following considerations presented in the study are part of a Master's degree thesis, conducted from 2013 to 2015.Methodology: The research adopted a multi-case study methodology by selecting four product developers from the Assistive technology field in Brazil, focusing on physical disability.Results: According to the findings, this research discusses the possible influences of Emotional Collaborative Design on the process of Assistive Technology, aiming at enhancing new perspectives about such tools on the product development process. As a result, it was possible to set a delimitation of PDP of AT stages in the four cases approached, in most of the methodological steps empirically developed.Conclusion: Final considerations of the study, collaborate with the comprehension of the assistive product development, stating there is still a little emphasis on the design concepts throughout these processes, also illustrates the necessity for further studies about the product development in the area.Implications for rehabilitationThe visualization of a still scarce dialogue between the multiple areas that could contribute for AT development;The potential correlation between high dissatisfaction in several issues regarding use of ATs and the poor understanding of user needs;The predominance of a great functionality emphasis, and the negligence of the individual's emotional in AT development;The understanding that product design maybe is still poorly applied/understood in this field.

Usability study of a computer-based self-management system for older adults with chronic diseases

Background

Usability can influence patients’ acceptance and adoption of a health information technology. However, little research has been conducted to study the usability of a self-management health care system, especially one geared toward elderly patients.

Objective

This usability study evaluated a new computer-based self-management system interface for older adults with chronic diseases, using a paper prototype approach.

Methods

Fifty older adults with different chronic diseases participated. Two usability evaluation methods were involved: (1) a heuristics evaluation and (2) end-user testing with a think-aloud testing method, audio recording, videotaping, and interviewing. A set of usability metrics was employed to determine the overall system usability, including task incompletion rate, task completion time, frequency of error, frequency of help, satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. Interviews were used to elicit participants’ comments on the system design. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data were analyzed for content.

Results

The participants were able to perform the predesigned self-management tasks with the current system design and they expressed mostly positive responses about the perceived usability measures regarding the system interface. However, the heuristics evaluation, performance measures, and interviews revealed a number of usability problems related to system navigation, information search and interpretation, information presentation, and readability. Design recommendations for further system interface modifications were discussed.

Conclusions

This study verified the usability of the self-management system developed for older adults with chronic diseases. Also, we demonstrated that our usability evaluation approach could be used to quickly and effectively identify usability problems in a health care information system at an early stage of the system development process using a paper prototype. Conducting a usability evaluation is an essential step in system development to ensure that the system features match the users’ true needs, expectations, and characteristics, and also to minimize the likelihood of the users committing user errors and having difficulties using the system.