title: Effectiveness of a Clinical Decision Support System for Pointing Device Prescription.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present a novel, knowledge-driven approach to prescription of pointing devices that uses the Ontology-Supported Computerized Assistive Technology Recommender (OSCAR), a clinical decision support system (CDSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five occupational therapists were divided into four groups: two assistive technology (AT) expert groups and two novice groups. Novice Group 1 used the OSCAR CDSS for the prescription process, and Novice Group 2 used the conventional method. OSCAR's effectiveness and its impact on users were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ability of Novice Group 1 to make suitable pointing device prescriptions was similar to that of the two expert groups and was significantly better than that of Novice Group 2. The system positively affected Novice Group 1's learning of the prescription process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The structure and organized framework for clinical reasoning of the OSCAR CDSS appear to enable occupational therapy practitioners inexperienced in AT to achieve performance levels comparable to those of experts.
authors.affiliation: Alexandra Danial-Saad, PhD, OT, is Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel, and Coordinator, Clinical Practicum, Academic Arab College for Education in Israel-Haifa.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danial-Saad
authors.affiliation: Tsvi Kuflik, PhD, is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Information Systems, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Tsvi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuflik
authors.affiliation: Patrice L. Weiss, PhD, OT, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Patrice L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Naomi Schreuer, PhD, OT, is Senior Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel; schreuer@research.haifa.ac.il.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schreuer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*