The importance of outcome measures for assistive technology service delivery systems

Although assistive technology is often heralded as the means to improved quality of life for people with disabilities, there is little data to support or refute this claim. Now, with the trend in health care toward accountability and performance monitoring, the assistive technology community finds itself without the tools to prove the value of its services. Measures that include both subjective and objective assessments of quality and outcomes need to be developed with the involvement of all stakeholders in the assistive technology community.

Duke Scholars

Author Frank DeRuyter Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences