Mobile three-dimensional visualisation technologies for clinician-led fall prevention assessments.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Assistive equipment provision aims to mitigate fall risks but suffers from over 50% abandonment due to poor patient fit.
• Current methods lack precision, leading to suboptimal equipment selection and patient dissatisfaction.
• Enhanced guidance is needed to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of assistive equipment fitting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore clinician perceptions of an early-stage 3D measurement aid prototype.
• To assess the usability and learnability of the 3D measurement aid for guiding assistive equipment provision.
• To identify potential improvements in the assistive equipment provision process using novel technology.

Main Methods:

• Ten occupational therapists participated in a trial of the 3D measurement aid prototype.
• Data collection involved think-aloud protocols and semi-structured interviews.
• System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to quantitatively measure usability.

Main Results:

• Participants rated the 3D measurement aid prototype as 'excellent' in usability.
• Strong agreement was found regarding the application's usability and learnability.
• Qualitative analysis revealed opportunities for improved measurement interpretation, recording, and collaborative practice.

Conclusions:

• The 3D measurement aid prototype demonstrates high usability and learnability among occupational therapists.
• The technology has the potential to enhance the assistive equipment provision process by improving fit and collaboration.
• Further research is required to compare the clinical utility of the 3D aid against traditional 2D methods.