Chi Nai-Ching, Nguyen Kristy, Shanahan Angela, Demir Ibrahim, Fu Ying-Kai, Chi Chih-Lin, Perkhounkova Yelena, Hein Maria, Buckwalter Kathleen, Wolf Michael, Williams Kristine, Herr Keela
College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Gerontologist. 2024 Dec 17;65(2). doi: 10.1093/geront/gnae163.
Pain management is often suboptimal in individuals with dementia, and their family caregivers are tasked with supporting pain management despite limited preparation. The web-based PACE-app (PAin Control Enhancement) was designed to assist caregivers in managing pain for individuals with dementia. This study aimed to evaluate the usability of the PACE-app.
A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used to evaluate the PACE-app's usability with 16 family caregivers and 6 healthcare professionals. Quantitative data were collected using the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ), and qualitative data were gathered through guided-app reviews and semistructured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data were thematically coded.
The PSSUQ results indicated that both family caregivers and healthcare professionals had a highly positive experience with the PACE-app: overall scores (2.01 vs 1.68), system usefulness (1.76 vs 1.68), information quality (1.98 vs 1.80), interface quality (2.30 vs 1.60), and satisfaction (2.00 vs 1.60) were rated on a 1-7 scale (with lower scores indicating better usability). Qualitative findings supported these results, with participants endorsing the PACE-app's usefulness, ease of use, learnability, effective information presentation, aesthetics, clear layout, and overall satisfaction. Participants also provided valuable feedback for improving information quality (enhancing clarity) and interface quality (real-time coaching on pain management).
The study demonstrated favorable usability and strong satisfaction among family caregivers and healthcare professionals using the PACE-app. Incorporating participants' suggestions will guide enhancements to the app's information and interface, ensuring it better meets users' needs.
痴呆症患者的疼痛管理往往未达到最佳状态，尽管准备有限，但其家庭护理人员仍肩负着支持疼痛管理的任务。基于网络的PACE应用程序（疼痛控制增强程序）旨在协助护理人员管理痴呆症患者的疼痛。本研究旨在评估PACE应用程序的可用性。
采用收敛平行混合方法设计，对16名家庭护理人员和6名医疗保健专业人员评估PACE应用程序的可用性。使用研究后系统可用性问卷（PSSUQ）收集定量数据，并通过引导式应用程序审查和半结构化访谈收集定性数据。对定量数据进行描述性分析，对定性数据进行主题编码。
PSSUQ结果表明，家庭护理人员和医疗保健专业人员对PACE应用程序都有非常积极的体验：总体得分（2.01对1.68）、系统有用性（1.76对1.68）、信息质量（1.98对1.80）、界面质量（2.30对1.60）和满意度（2.00对1.60）采用1-7分制评分（分数越低表明可用性越好）。定性研究结果支持了这些结果，参与者认可PACE应用程序的有用性、易用性、可学习性、有效的信息呈现、美学、清晰的布局和总体满意度。参与者还提供了关于提高信息质量（增强清晰度）和界面质量（疼痛管理实时指导）的宝贵反馈。
该研究表明，使用PACE应用程序的家庭护理人员和医疗保健专业人员具有良好的可用性和较高的满意度。纳入参与者的建议将指导改进应用程序的信息和界面，确保其更好地满足用户需求。
