IPPA, a User-Centred Approach to Assess Effectiveness of Assistive Technology Provision
By Wessels, Roelof; de Witte, Luc; Andrich, Renzo; Ferrario, Massimo; Persson, Jan; Oberg, Birgitta; Oortwijn, Wija; VanBeekum, Taeke; Lorentsen, Oivind; Technology and Disability, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 105-115Publication Date: 2000
Article describes IPPA (Individually Prioritised Problem Assessment), an instrument used to assess the effectiveness of assistive technology conditions. It assesses the impact that problems have on daily life as perceived by the end-user. In an international trial, 248 clients of service delivery centers were interviewed using the instrument; 118 also participated in a follow-up interview. Respondents had problems in mobility, hearing, speech-related communication or self-care. In addition to IPPA, SIP68 and EuroQol, two assessments used to measure health-related quality of life, were administered for validation purposes. The instrument fits well into the process of service delivery, and even facilitates the actual assessment. The direction of changes measured by IPPA is consistent with the direction of changes measured by SIP68 and EuroQol, suporting construct validity. Changes measured by IPPA are considerably larger, supporting the view that solving problems is a key outcome in provision of assistive devices. Results support the ideas behind the instrument and are promising enough to continue.
Published by: IOS Press (Website:http://www.iospress.nl)
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) (Web Site: http://www.aaate.net )
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