New Questionnaire Enhances Usability Evaluation of Digital Health Tools
Online publication, Thursday, 9 January 2025.
The GEMS questionnaire offers a patient-centered approach to assess digital health usability and satisfaction, filling gaps in traditional metrics for home healthcare.
Revolutionizing Patient Experience Assessment
The newly developed GEMS (Experienced Usability and Satisfaction with Self-monitoring in the Home Setting) questionnaire marks a significant advancement in evaluating digital health solutions (DHS). Released by Amsterdam University Medical Center researchers on January 8, 2025, this innovative tool comprises 14 items across four reliable scales: convenience of use, perceived value, efficiency of use, and satisfaction [1]. The questionnaire addresses a critical gap in existing evaluation methods by using simplified terminology that better resonates with patients using digital health tools at home [1].
Comprehensive Validation Process
The development of GEMS followed a rigorous three-step methodology, ensuring its reliability and effectiveness. The process included content validity assessment through literature review and expert meetings, face validity testing with patient panels, and thorough psychometric analysis [1]. The study involved 92 participants, with 65.2% being male and 38% aged between 40 and 59 years [1]. This comprehensive approach has resulted in a tool that demonstrates strong reliability and validity in assessing how patients experience digital health solutions in home settings [1].
Bridging Technology and Healthcare
The timing of GEMS’s introduction is particularly significant as the healthcare industry continues to embrace digital transformation. The questionnaire’s development reflects a growing recognition of the need to evaluate digital health solutions from the patient’s perspective, moving beyond traditional technical metrics [1]. Current validation studies are expanding the tool’s applicability, including ongoing research with individuals of low socioeconomic status and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [1]. The questionnaire has been designed at a B1 language proficiency level, making it accessible to a broader population while maintaining its effectiveness in gathering crucial user experience data [1].
Future Impact and Applications
The GEMS questionnaire represents a significant step forward in improving digital health solution development and implementation. Its ability to identify key issues as perceived by patients makes it a valuable tool for healthcare providers and technology developers alike [1]. Researchers are currently conducting additional validation studies, including a German translation, to expand its international applicability [1]. This tool has the potential to enhance health outcomes by improving the usability and effectiveness of digital health solutions, ultimately fostering better collaboration between patients and healthcare providers [1].