Critically Ill Older Adults Respond to the Usability of an Assistive Communication Application on an Electronic Tablet
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Date
2016-05
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Effective communication is paramount to good nursing practice, regardless of the setting or population. A patient’s condition (e.g., critical illness, mechanical ventilation) often hinders the development of effective nurse-patient communication. Advances in technology, such as the development of tablet computer applications, help address this issue. However, research on usability, acceptability, and subsequent adaptation in the clinical setting is needed. The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the responses of older (> 60 y/o) and younger (< 60 y/o) adult ICU patients to specific features of a new assistive communication application (VidaTalkTM) on an electronic tablet (i.e. iPad). We conducted a qualitative, secondary analysis of an existing data set collected as part of iterative development and evaluation of the VidaTalkTM (Vidatak, LLC) application. Recently (<72 hours) extubated ICU patients performed a series of 7 common messages on the tablet application and provided audio-recorded feedback. Codes were developed, refined and applied to the transcribed patient feedback and comments. We used basic qualitative description to identify common themes. Matrix analysis identified patterns in usability and acceptability by older/younger age groups. Fifteen participants, aged 22 - 75 years were enrolled, 8 younger and 7 older adults. More (87.5%) younger adults used a computer at home compared to older adults (42.9%). The patients’ mean self-rated experience with technology on a scale from 1 (very inexperienced) to 9 (very experienced) was lower for older adults (1.86) compared to their younger counterparts (4.31). The qualitative data showed that older adults required more assistance (i.e., cueing, coaching) than their younger counterparts. The need for assistance was accompanied by higher rates of finger errors in older adults. All participants regardless of age thought the application would have been helpful during their critical illness. Findings suggest that older adults can utilize a tablet communication with assistance.
Description
Third Place Finalist in Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
Keywords
Nonvocal Communication, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Mechanical Ventilation, Electronic Tablet, Usability and Acceptability