The search for a suitable outcome measure for use in evaluating the outcome of provision of an environmental control system

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to report on the journey, by the Access to Communication and Technology (ACT) Service, towards a suitable measure for use in evaluating the outcome of provision of an environmental control (EC) system.Design methodology approach - This journey has involved various approaches and methodologies. A literature search together with qualitative research, by the first author, demonstrated that the power of EC provision lies in the psycho-social domain. Subsequently, ACT evaluated the 26-item Psycho-social Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS), as a research project. This was deemed to be not fit for the purpose of outcome measure in routine clinical practice. During the course of this ACT research project, a shortened version of PIADS (the PIADS-10) was developed at the University of Western Ontario.Findings - ACT has concluded that the PIADS-10 is more likely to be fit for purpose, as it is shorter, more understandable for the patient, and easier for the clinician to administer.Originality value - Service providers and commissioners should consider PIADS-10 as a means to evaluate outcome in EC.