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Biomedical subjects

Marcia J Scherer

Publications and source records attributed to Marcia J Scherer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Technology for improving cognitive function. A workshop sponsored by the US Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR): reports from working groups.

The U.S. federal Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) and its Subcommittee on Technology (IST) sponsored a state of the art workshop on "Technology for Improving Cognitive Function", from 29-30 June 2006 in Washington, D.C. This paper summarizes the content of the working groups charged with providing strategic direction for the future of technology for persons with cognitive disabilities.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2005

Predictors of assistive technology use: the importance of personal and psychosocial factors.

OBJECTIVE: To validate an assistive technology (AT) baseline and outcomes measure and to quantify the measure's value in determining the best match of consumer and AT considering consumer ratings of their subjective quality of life, mood, support from others, motivation for AT use, program/therapist reliance, and self-determination/self-esteem. DESIGN: Prospective multi-cohort study. SETTING: Vocational rehabilitation offices and community. PARTICIPANTS: Over 150 vocational rehabilitation counselors in 25 U.S. states with one consumer each receiving new AT. INTERVENTIONS: Counselor training in the Matching Person and Technology (MPT) Model and consumer completion of the MPT measure, Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total and subscale scores on the ATD PA as well as counselor-completed questionnaires. RESULTS: ATD PA items differentiated consumer predispositions to AT use as well as AT and user match. There were no significant differences due to gender, physical locality, or age within this sample of working-age adult consumers. Vocational rehabilitation counselors exposed to training in the MPT Model achieved enhanced AT service delivery outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The ATD PA is a valid measure of predisposition to use an AT and the subsequent match of AT and user. Rehabilitation practitioners who use the ATD PA will achieve evidence-based practice and can expect to see enhanced AT service delivery outcomes.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed2005

Assessing the benefits of using assistive technologies and other supports for thinking, remembering and learning.

PURPOSE: Planning assistive technologies and other supports for individuals with cognitive disabilities requires a comprehensive and individualized assessment of current goals, past experiences with the use of technologies and other supports, and the person's predisposition to the use of alternative or additional supports. This paper discusses a foundation for the refinement of an existing assessment process to match technologies to individuals with cognitive disabilities. METHOD: Prior research and a literature review identified the critical needs for an assessment process that would serve to identify key elements known to influence the success use of assistive technology and other supports by persons with cognitive disabilities. RESULTS: The components of successful, effective and satisfied support use result from a good match of device and support features, user goals and preferences, and environmental resources. The relationship to the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the International Standardization Organization's international standard ISO DIS 9999 is discussed. CONCLUSIONS: As the number of assistive technology options increase, individualized interventions for individuals with cognitive disabilities will be easier to accomplish. The key to successful and optimal use of these products will be an appropriate and comprehensive assessment of consumer needs and preferences and the identification of additional accommodations and supports.

Cognition↗
PubMed2005

Psychometric and administrative properties of measures used in assistive technology device outcomes research.

Although there have been numerous calls for increasing the quantity and quality of assistive technology outcomes research, no one has analyzed the nature of data that the field has been accumulating. This article summarizes our evaluation of 82 outcome studies, published between 1980 and 2001, addressing assistive technology devices (ATDs). Our data indicate that the "typical" ATD outcomes study published in the past 20 years is one that (a) used a sample population that was diverse in terms of age, disability population, and type of ATD being used; (b) measured user-reported dependent variables with instruments designed specifically for the study; (c) did not report adequate information on the reliability and validity for the measurement instruments that were used; (d) did not discuss the staff workload associated with learning, administering, and scoring its data collection tools; and (e) did not differentiate its findings in terms of distinguishable participant subgroups. Several suggestions are provided to guide future development of assistive technology outcome measures in the domains of usability, quality of life, and social role performance. In addition, seven recommendations are offered to outcomes researchers, policy makers, journal editors, and reviewers in order to improve the reporting of assistive technology outcomes research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Toward a taxonomy of assistive technology device outcomes.

The advancement of assistive technology device (ATD) outcomes research requires a substantive taxonomy for ATD outcomes. This article describes the assumptions and principles that should underlie such a taxonomy. It advocates for an approach to classifying outcomes that would promote consistency in how ATDs are distinguished, based on their intended effect on the user. The approach is designed to accommodate the widest variety of ATD applications, reflecting combinations of user population, ATD type, service, and context for use. In essence, the provisional taxonomy proposes that ATD outcomes can be effectively operationalized from three vantages--effectiveness, social significance, and subjective well-being. It emphasizes a distinction between the proximal effect of ATDs and the more distal outcomes associated with their use. Because it promotes consistency in the language used for categorizing outcomes, the taxonomic approach should facilitate the development of ATD-specific causal models. The utility of a taxonomy in ATD outcomes research is discussed.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed2002

A pilot study of perceived needs of persons with new spinal cord injury.

Persons with new spinal cord injury have varying perceptions of their own needs in multiple life domains such as readiness and need to use assistive technologies, but these are often not directly addressed. These areas were the focus of the present study. This descriptive study looked at subjective need in a variety of areas with a new measure and also assessed perceptions related to assistive technology and quality of life. Perceptions of various needs were compared at baseline and at 1- and 6-mo. follow-up. The Perceived Needs Inventory, the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment, and the Diener Satisfaction with Life Scale were the main outcome measures given 22 patients with new injuries in an inpatient service for acute spinal cord injury with community follow-up. As the Perceived Needs Inventory provided distinct information and showed good test-reliability and some evidence of construct validity, it may be a useful adjunctive tool with such patients.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determining the content for an interactive training programme and interpretive guidelines for the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment.

PURPOSE: Develop the content for interpretive guidelines and an interactive training programme for professionals administering the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA) consumer form, a self-report assessment tool for consumers to identify their perceived functional capabilities and limitations, satisfaction with and priorities for quality of life achievement, psychosocial characteristics and device preferences. METHOD: Twenty-two professionals (with 1-2 consumers each) completed surveys on their use of the ATD PA and recommendations for interpretive guidelines and an interactive training programme. Participants represent eight US states and the country of Italy. Fourteen women and eight men (professionals) participated, and 20% of the sample was comprised of US consumers from Hispanic or African-American ethnic groups. Professionals represented the following disciplines: occupational therapy (n=1); physical therapy (n=1); rehabilitation engineering (n=4); and vocational rehabilitation counselling (n=16). Additionally, an advisory committee of 14 persons was formed, comprising consumers as well as international AT experts. The committee members prioritized content areas for the training programme and interpretive guidelines. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Responses strongly support the need for and the continued development of the training programme and interpretive guidelines. Content areas have been identified and prioritized.

Persons with Disabilities↗