We conducted a laboratory-based study involving 20 older
adults (age 60–88; mean age = 73.4, stdev = 9.9; 13 females) to
understand how this population might react to using a surface
computer in a medical context. All participants came into our
laboratory to participate in the study. See Table 1 for the characteristics
of the sample. This study also involved 10 younger
adults (age 19 to 26; mean age = 20.7, stdev = 2.2; 6 females) performing
the same tasks as a benchmark to understand older
adult performance. The analysis below focuses on older adult
data except where noted.
A researcher followed a written script to guide participants
through a series of tasks. Participants were told that there were
going to try out a new type of computer that could appear in
the doctor’s office of the future. The first task involved getting
the participant comfortable in an adjustable office chair and
situated at the table. The participant then manipulated paper
information cards spread out on the table surface (at this point
the display was off, see Fig. 3). The goal of this first activity was
to ensure that the participant was comfortable at the table
while interacting with the entire surface.