Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive technology

Abstract

The Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive technology (D-QUEST) is a specialized psychometric instrument designed to measure the level of satisfaction experienced by users of a specific, provided assistive technology or device. This scale is crucial for evaluating the success of the provisioning process.

The D-QUEST consists of 12 items rated on a 5-point scale, where higher cumulative scores indicate greater user satisfaction with the device. Functioning as a clinical instrument, the D-QUEST is typically applied at the individual level to evaluate specific device provision and optimize the overall rehabilitation or support process.

Keywords

D-QUEST, Assistive Technology, User Satisfaction, Clinical Instrument, Questionnaire, Rehabilitation, Wessels RD, de Witte LP, Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction.

Authors

Demers L, Weiss-Lambrou R, Ska B (Original Scale, 1996); Wessels RD, de Witte LP (Dutch Version Adaptation, 2003).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the D-QUEST is to systematically quantify and evaluate the subjective satisfaction of users regarding the assistive technology they have received. This information is vital for clinical decision-making, monitoring the effectiveness of interventions, and ensuring quality assurance within rehabilitation services.

Specifically, the instrument is intended for use within the care provision process to assess the effectiveness and suitability of an individual device provision. By identifying areas of low satisfaction, clinicians can take steps to refine or optimize the provided aid, thereby enhancing the user’s quality of life and functional independence.

Construct

The D-QUEST measures the psychological construct of User Satisfaction specifically related to the utilization of an assistive device. This satisfaction is generally understood to encompass the user’s perception of the device’s features, effectiveness, reliability, and ease of use.

The 12 items capture various facets of the user experience, translating subjective perceptions into quantifiable data points. The resulting score provides a measure of how well the provided aid meets the user’s needs and expectations, scored consistently on a 5-point scale.

Validity

Specific detailed validity studies conducted solely on the 12-item Dutch version (D-QUEST) are not provided in the source material. However, the original Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction (QUEST 2.0) scale, upon which the D-QUEST is based, has demonstrated strong content and construct validity, particularly regarding its ability to measure both Device and Service satisfaction.

Validation efforts for the D-QUEST adaptation focused on ensuring cross-cultural and linguistic equivalence, thereby maintaining the underlying measurement properties of the original instrument when applied to Dutch-speaking populations of adults and elderly individuals using various types of aids.

Reliability

Comprehensive reliability coefficients (such as internal consistency via Cronbach’s alpha or test-retest reliability) for the 12-item D-QUEST are not explicitly detailed in the source documentation. Nevertheless, the scale is expected to exhibit strong reliability given its derivation from the internationally recognized QUEST framework, which is known for its robust psychometric properties.

Reliability testing for validated translations like the D-QUEST ensures that the scale consistently measures satisfaction across different administrations and users within the target population, minimizing measurement error associated with cultural or linguistic adaptation.

Factor Analysis

The original Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction (QUEST 2.0) typically yields a robust two-factor structure: Satisfaction with the Device (Product) and Satisfaction with the Services (Delivery/Support). While the D-QUEST is a 12-item version, factor analysis applied during its development would have aimed to confirm that the items load logically onto dimensions relevant to assistive technology satisfaction.

Confirmation of the factor structure is essential for verifying that the D-QUEST measures the intended constructs accurately within the Dutch population, confirming its suitability as a standardized questionnaire for clinical and research applications.

Instrument

Test Type: Questionnaire / Self-Report Scale

Format: 12 items scored on a 5-point scale (Likert-type scale), ranging from “Not satisfied at all” to “Very satisfied.”

Language Available: Dutch (Nederlandse versie).

Population Group: Users of assistive technology.

Age Group: Adults, Elderly (Volwassenen, Ouderen).

Population Details: Individuals requiring assistance devices due to physical or functional limitations. The scale is categorized under External factors (incl. assistive devices).

Test Methodology: The scale is administered to the device user after a period of use. A high score corresponds to a high level of satisfaction, allowing clinicians to evaluate and optimize the individual provision of the assistive device.

Keywords

D-QUEST, User Satisfaction, Clinical Evaluation, 5-point scale, Wessels RD, de Witte LP, Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction, Assistive Technology, Psychometric Properties.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Not available in source material.

Affiliation Email addresses: Not available in source material.

Correspondence Address: Not available in source material.

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

The original Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction scale was developed in 1996 by Demers et al. The specific Dutch version (D-QUEST) was adapted and published in 2003 by Wessels RD and de Witte LP. Information regarding specific licensing fees or required permissions for clinical or research use of the D-QUEST is not specified in the provided source data.

The original PDF documentation associated with this instrument is available. The explanation form can be downloaded here: Toelichtingsformulier (Explanation Form) – D-Quest-form.pdf. The original measurement instrument can be downloaded here: Meetinstrument (Measurement Instrument) – D-Quest-meetinstr.pdf.

Reference’s

Demers L, Weiss-Lambrou R, Ska B. (1996). Development of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive technology (QUEST). Psychometric properties and clinical use.

Wessels RD, de Witte LP. (2003). Adaptation and validation of the Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive technology (D-QUEST).

Items of the Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive technology

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The specific items comprising the 12-item Dutch version (D-QUEST) were not included in the provided source content.