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Published article

Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology (ESGAT)

Lead researcher

Co-researchers

  • Frédéric Dumont
  • Philippe S. Archambault
  • François Routhier
  • Mir Abolfazl Mostafavi

Collaborators

  • Sophie Levac

PROBLEM

There are questionnaires to assess user satisfaction with technical assistance. Clinicians can use them with their rehabilitation clients to ensure that the assistance is safe, effective, comfortable and, most importantly, that there will be no abandonment by the client of this technical aid. When users are dissatisfied, two solutions are possible: offer better training or opt for a different technical aid.

Several clinicians in the rehabilitation world as well as community organizations report that these types of questionnaires are often too general when it comes to evaluating a mobile application for wheelchair navigation in urban areas. They would like access to questionnaires specifically developed to assess the level of satisfaction of people using geospatial assistance.

Let’s take the example of a person in a wheelchair who uses the Google Map pedestrian app to walk to an unfamiliar place. Does the application take into account obstacles on sidewalks (roadworks, garbage cans, thresholds)? Are lateral elevations acceptable? Are sidewalks with an upward or downward slope marked? Are uneven surfaces reported? Is the building’s entrance wheelchair accessible?

SOLUTION

In Canada, no app yet exists for users of mobility aids. We have to go to Hungary or some cities in France to get access to apps that truly take into account all aspects of wheelchair navigation. Such applications will certainly soon be available here, and the use of the Evaluation of satisfaction with geospatial assistive technology (ESGAT 1.0) questionnaire will then make it possible to assess the level of user satisfaction with the safety and accessibility of the routes suggested by these applications.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

As a clinician, you can ask your clients using a mobility device on wheels to test navigation apps by completing the questionnaire. You can inquire about their satisfaction with different aspects:

1. Informatic: ease of access, learning ability, hands-free function, ease of use, transportability and appearance
2. Geomatic: content, geographic information, effectiveness, efficiency, real-time navigation aid, security aspect.

You can download the questionnaire and use it. We welcome your feedback.