Can capabilities be self-reported? A think aloud study.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Al-Janabi H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3664929 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Can capabilities be self-reported? A think aloud study.
Al-Janabi Hareth H Keeley Thomas T Mitchell Paul P Coast Joanna J
Social science & medicine (1982) 20130403
Direct assessment of capability to function may be useful in healthcare settings, but poses many challenges. This paper reports a first investigation of the feasibility of individuals self-reporting their capabilities and the meaning of the responses. The study was conducted in 2010, using think-aloud interviews with participants in the UK. The findings of the study suggest that the majority of participants were able to comprehend questions about their capabilities, felt able to judge their own ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:BackgroundSpending time in natural environments is beneficial for human health, but many older adults have limited or no access to natural environments. Virtual reality technology may be a means to facilitate nature experiences, and so, there is a need for knowledge on how to design virtual restorative natural environments for older adults.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify, implement, and test older adults' preferences and ideas regarding virtual natural environments.MethodsA total of 14 older adults (mean age 75, SD 5.9 years) participated in an iterative process to design such an environment. We used think-aloud protocols and qualitative content analysis and established questionnaires that targeted usability, affective aspects, and side effects. These data guided the design decisions for incremental implementations of a prototype.ResultsThe participants' preferences included trueness to reality in terms of rendition and behavior; traces of human activity and natural processes that trigger the imagination and provide believability; the ability to roam, explore, and interact with the environment; and a familiar, relatable environment that evokes memories. The iterative design process resulted in a prototype featuring many of the participants' ideas and preferences, including a seated locomotion technique, animals, a boat ride, the discovery of a boat wreck, and apple picking. The questionnaire results indicated high perceived usability, interest, and enjoyment; low pressure and tension; moderate value and usefulness; and negligible side effects.ConclusionsWe suggested 3 principles for virtual natural environments for older adults: realness, interactivity, and relatedness. Virtual natural environments should also provide a diversity of content and activities to accommodate the heterogeneity in older adults' preferences. These results can contribute to a framework for designing virtual natural environments for older adults. However, these findings need to be tested and potentially revised in future studies.
| S-EPMC10131598 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundA critical gap in our knowledge about social media is whether we can alleviate accessibility barriers and challenges for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), to improve their social participation and health. To do this, we need real-time information about these barriers and challenges, to design appropriate aids.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to characterize the ways people with TBI accessed and used social media websites and understand unique challenges they faced.MethodsWe invited 8 adults with moderate to severe TBI to log onto their own Facebook page and use it as they regularly would while thinking aloud. Their comments were recorded and transcribed for qualitative analysis. We first analyzed participants' utterances using a priori coding based on a framework proposed by Meshi et al to classify adults' motives for accessing social media. We next used an open coding method to understand the challenges that people with TBI faced while using Facebook. In other words, we analyzed participants' needs for using Facebook and then identified Facebook features that made it challenging for them to meet those needs.ResultsParticipants used all categories of codes in the framework by Meshi et al and provided detailed feedback about the Facebook user interface. A priori coding revealed 2 dimensions that characterized participants' Facebook use: whether they were active or passive about posting and self-disclosure on Facebook and their familiarity and fluency in using Facebook. The open coding analysis revealed 6 types of challenges reported by participants with TBI, including difficulty with language production and interpretation, attention and information overload, perceptions of negativity and emotional contagion, insufficient guidance to use Facebook, concerns about web-based scams and frauds, and general accessibility concerns.ConclusionsResults showed that individuals with TBI used Facebook for the same reasons typical adults do, suggesting that it can help increase social communication and reduce isolation and loneliness. Participants also identified barriers, and we propose modifications that could improve access for individuals with brain injury. On the basis of identified functions and challenges, we conclude by proposing design ideas for social media support tools that can promote more active use of social media sites by adults with TBI.
| S-EPMC9804090 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Clinical decision-making (CDM) is the ability to make clinical choices based on the knowledge and information available to the physician. It often refers to individual cognitive processes that becomes more dependent with the acquisition of experience and knowledge. Previous research has used dual-process theory to explain the cognitive processes involved in how physicians acquire experiences that help them develop CDM. However, less is known about how CDM is shaped by the physicians' situated cognition in the clinical environment. This is especially challenging for novice physicians, as they need to be adaptive to compensate for the lack of experience. The adaptive expert framework has been used to explain how novice physicians learn, but it has not yet been explored, how adaptive expertise is linked to clinical decision-making amongst novice physicians.This study aimed to analyse how residents utilize and develop adaptive expert cognition in a natural setting. By describing cognitive processes through verbalization of thought processes, we sought to explore their CDM strategies considering the adaptive expert framework.We used concurrent and retrospective think-aloud interviews in a natural setting of an emergency department (ED) at a university hospital, to query residents about their reasoning during a patient encounter. We analysed data using protocol analysis to map cognitive strategies from these verbalizations. Subsequently in a narrative analysis, we compared these strategies with the literature on adaptive expertise.Fourteen interviews were audio recorded over the course for 17 h of observation. We coded 78 informational concepts and 46 cognitive processes. The narrative analysis demonstrated how epistemic distance was prevalent in the initial CDM process and self-regulating processes occurred during hypothesis testing. However, residents who too quickly moved on to hypothesis testing tended to have to redirect their hypothesis more often, and thus be more laborious in their CDM. Uncertainty affected physicians' CDM when they did not reconcile their professional role with being allowed to be uncertain. This allowance is an important feature of orientation to new knowledge as it facilitates the evaluation of what the physician does not know.For the resident to learn to act as an adaptive decision-maker, she relied on contextual support. The professional role was crucial in decisional competency. This supports current literature, which argues that role clarification helps decisional competency. This study adds that promoting professional development by tolerating uncertainty may improve adaptive decisional competency.
| S-EPMC9835279 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundColonoscopies are vital for initial screening, follow-ups, surveillance of neoplasia, and assessing symptoms such as rectal bleeding. Successful colonoscopies require thorough colon preparation, but up to 25% fail due to poor preparation. This can lead to longer procedures, repeat colonoscopies, inconvenience, poorer health outcomes, and higher costs. eHealth tools can enhance bowel preparation and potentially reduce the need for repeat procedures.ObjectiveThis usability study aimed to identify strengths and weaknesses in a prototype companion app for colonoscopy examinations. The objective was to obtain in-depth insights into the app's usability, ease of use, and content comprehension, with the aim of refining the tool to effectively fulfill its intended purpose, guided by feedback from potential users.MethodsFrom February to August 2024, we conducted a qualitative study using the think-aloud procedure. Each session involved 6 tasks and a semistructured interview to delve deeper into participants' task experiences. All think-aloud sessions and interviews were recorded. Quantitative usability questions were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, while qualitative data underwent coding and analysis based on thematic analysis principles.ResultsIn total, 17 individuals, all smartphone users, participated in this study. Participants were recruited from 1 hospital, 1 private clinic, and 1 patient organization in Switzerland. The study found that participants rated the app's usability metrics positively, with an overall mean rating of ease of use at 4.29 (SD 0.59), usefulness at 4.53 (SD 0.72), and comprehensibility at 4.29 (SD 0.92). For the individual features, the mean ratings for ease of use were between 4 and 4.65, usefulness ranged from 4.35 to 4.82, and comprehensibility received ratings between 4.29 and 4.53, all measured on a 5-point scale, where 1 represented low agreement and 5 indicated high agreement. Additionally, 100% of participants indicated they will or may use the app if they require a colonoscopy examination. Participants highlighted the need for reminders and alerts in the week leading up to the colonoscopy, along with tailored content, simplified language, and visual aids.ConclusionsThe app prototype demonstrated favorable results with the majority of participants, and the testing process enabled the prompt identification and resolution of usability issues. The next phase will prioritize and assess potential improvements based on urgency and feasibility to guide a focused development plan. Usability testing highlighted features such as push notifications and personalized content as top priorities for participants, making them key areas for immediate attention. Moving forward, the app has the potential to function effectively as a companion app for colonoscopy examinations. To achieve this, further studies with a larger sample in real-world settings will be crucial.
| S-EPMC11838146 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundYoung people aged 16-24 years are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs can have serious health consequences for affected individuals and the estimated annual cost of treatment to the National Health Service is £620 million. Accordingly, the UK government has made reducing the rates of STIs among this group a priority. A missed opportunity to intervene to increase condom use is when young people obtain self-sampling kits for STIs via the internet.ObjectiveOur aim was to develop a theory-based tailored intervention to increase condom use for 16-24-years-olds accessing chlamydia self-sampling websites.MethodsThe intervention, Wrapped, was developed using Intervention Mapping and was co-designed with young people. The following steps were performed: (1) identification of important determinants of condom use and evidence of their changeability using computer and digital interventions; (2) setting the intervention goal, performance objectives, and change objectives; (3) identification of Behavior Change Principles (BCPs) and practical strategies to target these determinants; and (4) development of intervention materials able to deliver the BCPs and practical strategies.ResultsUsers of existing chlamydia self-sampling websites are signposted to Wrapped after placing an order for a sampling kit. Salient barriers to condom use are identified by each user and relevant intervention components are allocated to target these. The components include the following: (1) a sample box of condoms, (2) an online condom distribution service, (3) a product for carrying condoms, (4) a condom demonstration video, (5) a series of videos on communication about condom use, and (6) erotic films of real couples discussing and demonstrating condom use.ConclusionsThis intervention will be directed at young people who may be particularly receptive to messages and support for behavior change due to their testing status.
| S-EPMC6658247 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDiagnosing chronic heart failure is difficult, especially in mild cases or early in the course of the disease, and guidelines are not easily implemented in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to investigate general practitioners' diagnostic reasoning about patients with suspected chronic heart failure in comparison with recommendations in European guidelines.MethodsThink-aloud technique was used. Fifteen general practitioners reasoned about six case vignettes, representing authentic patients with suspected chronic heart failure. Information about each case was added successively in five steps. The general practitioners said their thoughts aloud while reasoning about the probability of the patient having chronic heart failure, and tried to decide about the diagnosis. Arguments for and against chronic heart failure were analysed and compared to recommendations in guidelines.ResultsInformation about ejection fraction was the most frequent diagnostic argument, followed by information about cardiac enlargement or pulmonary congestion on chest X-ray. However, in a third of the judgement situations, no information about echocardiography was utilized in the general practitioners' diagnostic reasoning. Only three of the 15 doctors used information about a normal electrocardiography as an argument against chronic heart failure. Information about other cardio-vascular diseases was frequently used as a diagnostic argument.ConclusionsThe clinical information was not utilized to the extent recommended in guidelines. Some implications of our study are that 1) general practitioners need more information about how to utilize echocardiography when diagnosing chronic heart failure, 2) guidelines ought to give more importance to information about other cardio-vascular diseases in the diagnostic reasoning, and 3) guidelines ought to treat the topic of diastolic heart failure in a clearer way.
| S-EPMC546006 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Simulations and games bring the possibility to research complex processes of managerial decision-making. However, this modern field requires adequate methodological procedures. Many authors recommend the use of a combination of concurrent think-aloud (CTA) or retrospective think-aloud (RTA) with eye-tracking to investigate cognitive processes such as decision-making. Nevertheless, previous studies have little or no consideration of the possible differential impact of both think-aloud methods on data provided by eye-tracking. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to compare and assess if and how these methods differ in terms of their impact on eye-tracking. The experiment was conducted for this purpose. Participants were 14 managers who played a specific simulation game with CTA use and 17 managers who played the same game with RTA use. The results empirically prove that CTA significantly distorts data provided by eye-tracking, whereas data gathered when RTA is used, provide independent pieces of evidence about the participants' behavior. These findings suggest that RTA is more suitable for combined use with eye-tracking for the purpose of the research of decision-making in the game environment.
| S-EPMC7294419 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesDiagnosing chronic heart failure (CHF) in general practice is challenging. Our aim was to investigate how general practitioners (GPs) diagnose CHF in real-world patients.DesignThink-aloud study.MethodsFourteen GPs were asked to reason about four real-world CHF cases from their own practices. The cases were selected through a clinical audit. This was followed by an interview to get a deeper insight in their reasoning. The Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven was used as a guide in data analysis.ResultsWe developed a conceptual diagnostic model based on three important reasoning steps. First, GPs assessed the likelihood of CHF based on the presence or absence of HF signs and symptoms. However, this approach had serious limitations since GPs experienced many barriers in their clinical assessment, especially in comorbid elderly. Second, if CHF was considered based on step 1, the main influencing factor to take further diagnostic steps was the GPs' perception of the added value of a validated CHF diagnosis in that specific case. Third, the choice and implications of these further diagnostic steps (N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, ECG and/or cardiac ultrasound) were influenced by the GPs' knowledge about these tests and the quality of the cardiologists' reports.ConclusionThis think-aloud study identified the factors that influenced the diagnostic reasoning about CHF in general practice. As a consequence, targets to improve this diagnostic reasoning were withheld: a paradigm shift towards an earlier and more comprehensive risk assessment with, among others, access to natriuretic peptide testing and convincing GPs of the added value of a validated HF diagnosis.
| S-EPMC6475198 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Machine learning tools are increasingly used to improve the quality of care and the soundness of a treatment plan. Explainable AI (XAI) helps users in understanding the inner mechanisms of opaque machine learning models and is a driver of trust and adoption. Explanation methods for black-box models exist, but there is a lack of user studies on the interpretability of the provided explanations. We used a Think Aloud Protocol (TAP) to explore oncologists' assessment of a lung cancer relapse prediction system with the aim of refining the purpose-built explanation model for better credibility and utility. Novel to this context, TAP is used as a neutral methodology to elicit experts' thought processes and judgements of the AI system, without explicit prompts. TAP aims to elicit the factors which influenced clinicians' perception of credibility and usefulness of the system. Ten oncologists took part in the study. We conducted a thematic analysis of their verbalized responses, generating five themes that help us to understand the context within which oncologists' may (or may not) integrate an explainable AI system into their working day.
| S-EPMC10501571 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundRisk stratified breast cancer screening is being considered as a means of improving the balance of benefits and harms of mammography. Stratified screening requires the communication of risk estimates. We aimed to co-develop personalised 10-year breast cancer risk communications for women attending routine mammography.MethodsWe conducted think-aloud interviews on prototype breast cancer risk letters and accompanying information leaflets with women receiving breast screening through the UK National Breast Screening Programme. Risk information was redesigned following feedback from 55 women in three iterations. A deductive thematic analysis of participants' speech is presented.ResultsOverall, participants appreciated receiving their breast cancer risk. Their comments focused on positive framing and presentation of the risk estimate, a desire for detail on the contribution of individual risk factors to overall risk and effective risk management strategies, and clearly signposted support pathways.ConclusionProvision of breast cancer risk information should strive to be personal, understandable and meaningful. Risk information should be continually refined to reflect developments in risk management. Receipt of risk via letter is welcomed but concerns remain around the acceptability of informing women at higher risk in this way, highlighting a need for co-development of risk dissemination and support pathways.
| S-EPMC9721070 | biostudies-literature