ABSTRACT

Online decision support systems (DSS) may help older adults self-select assistive technology (AT) by offering recommendations. User interactions with DSSs may change the recommendations they receive. Objective: We evaluated recommendations stability and usability of an online DSS. Methods: Middle-aged and older adults (n = 43) were observed while using the DSS. The stability of DSS recommendations (ATs and advice) was compared between two time points, using a three-point scale: no, partial, or full agreement. Usability was coded, referencing ISO standards. Results: Half (51%) of participants received AT recommendations from the DSS in both sessions, with full (14%) or partial (12%) agreement. All but one participant received advice, and almost all of them had full (40%) or partial (56%) agreement between sessions. Many of the usability issues appear to be the result of the users inaccurately measuring their environment, challenges in understanding the questions being asked, and improperly making selections from the system. Discussion: Strict AT matching rules versus generic advice, and usability issues, likely reduced the matching rate and stability of AT recommendations. Conclusion: It appears that some users may require assistance with the system, and we suggest changes to the DSS format and content to improve stability and usability.

摘要

在线决策支持系统 (DSS) 可以通过提供建议帮助老年人自我选择辅助技术 (AT)。用户与 DSS 的交互可能会改变他们收到的建议。目标：我们评估了在线 DSS 的推荐稳定性和可用性。方法：在使用 DSS 时观察中年和老年人 (n = 43)。DSS 建议（AT 和建议）的稳定性在两个时间点之间进行比较，使用三点量表：不同意、部分同意或完全同意。可用性被编码，参考 ISO 标准。结果：一半 (51%) 的参与者在两次会议中都收到了 DSS 的 AT 建议，完全 (14%) 或部分 (12%) 同意。除了一名参与者之外，所有参与者都收到了建议，几乎所有人都在会话之间完全（40%）或部分（56%）同意。许多可用性问题似乎是用户不准确地测量他们的环境、理解所提出问题的挑战以及从系统中不正确地做出选择的结果。讨论：严格的 AT 匹配规则与通用建议以及可用性问题可能会降低 AT 建议的匹配率和稳定性。结论：似乎有些用户可能需要系统帮助，我们建议更改 DSS 格式和内容以提高稳定性和可用性。可能会降低 AT 推荐的匹配率和稳定性。结论：似乎有些用户可能需要系统帮助，我们建议更改 DSS 格式和内容以提高稳定性和可用性。可能会降低 AT 推荐的匹配率和稳定性。结论：似乎有些用户可能需要系统帮助，我们建议更改 DSS 格式和内容以提高稳定性和可用性。