Reliability and validity of the Dutch version of QUEST 2.0 with users of various types of assistive devices

Purpose : In this paper, the Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (D-QUEST) is validated in users of a large variety of assistive devices ( n =2002). Method : D-QUEST consists of a written questionnaire. The respondent rates his or her satisfaction with respect to 12 aspects on a five-point scale. Users of 10 different types of assistive devices participated. Analyses were performed for each type of assistive device. Reliability is tested by analysing internal consistency. Content validity is tested by analysing applicability of the 12 aspects. The non-applicability option for answering questions is studied. Construct validity is tested by analysing correlations with problem solving and with general satisfaction. Results : Reliability proves to be good for all types of assistive devices. Including the non-applicability option improves the feasibility of the instrument without affecting content validity. Correlations between D-QUEST scores on the one hand and problem solving and general satisfaction questions on the other are as expected, supporting validity. Conclusions : D-QUEST (and therefore also QUEST) proves itself to be a highly applicable, reliable and valid instrument to assess user-satisfaction of users of all kinds of assistive device provisions.