Sustaining Gains: Short Message Service (SMS)-Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Enabled Model for Diabetes Self-Care

Adherence to care and treatment of chronic conditions is a well-researched area. In the context of diabetes, many experts have identified self-care adherence as one of the major factors influencing patients’ health outcomes. Cases of non-adherence to self-care among diabetic patients have been well documented. The adverse effects of non-adherence are costly to both the patient and the healthcare industry. This proposed research attempts to mitigate the problem of non-adherence to care by incorporating mobile technology as a tool of support to promote care adherence. Specifically, the use of cellular phone Short Message Service (SMS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to increase adherence to self-care amongst diabetes patients is investigated

ONLINE STATIONERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OSMS)

Over the past few years, the Internet has played a very important role be it at home, work or school. Internet applications such as online shopping and online voting has been widely accepted worldwide. This project focuses on the significance of online systems technology for managing stationeries in UTP, to enhance the systems from manual to online and to implement an integrated system. The development methodology of this research is based on the author's own methodology which involves phases such as Analysis, Design and Construction. The project is being developed using server side scripting, PFIP and MySQL database. Using the manual system, UTP has to face a few problems such as difficulties onmanaging staffdata, stationery request forms and stationeries as well. By implementing a new web based systems those problems can be minimized as well as saving costof purchasing papers

Comparison of self-administered survey questionnaire responses collected using mobile apps versus other methods

Background: Self-administered survey questionnaires are an important data collection tool in clinical practice, public health research and epidemiology. They are ideal for achieving a wide geographic coverage of the target population, dealing with sensitive topics and are less resource intensive than other data collection methods. These survey questionnaires can be delivered electronically, which can maximise the scalability and speed of data collection while reducing cost. In recent years, the use of apps running on consumer smart devices (i.e., smartphones and tablets) for this purpose has received considerable attention. However, variation in the mode of delivering a survey questionnaire could affect the quality of the responses collected. Objectives: To assess the impact that smartphone and tablet apps as a delivery mode have on the quality of survey questionnaire responses compared to any other alternative delivery mode: paper, laptop computer, tablet computer (manufactured before 2007), short message service (SMS) and plastic objects. Search methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, IEEEXplore, Web of Science, CABI: CAB Abstracts, Current Contents Connect, ACM Digital, ERIC, Sociological Abstracts, Health Management Information Consortium, the Campbell Library and CENTRAL. We also searched registers of current and ongoing clinical trials such as ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO)International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. We also searched the grey literature in OpenGrey, Mobile Active and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses. Lastly, we searched Google Scholar and the reference lists of included studies and relevant systematic reviews. We performed all searches up to 12 and 13 April 2015. Selection criteria: We included parallel randomised controlled trials (RCTs), crossover trials and paired repeated measures studies that compared the electronic delivery of self-administered survey questionnaires via a smartphone or tablet app with any other delivery mode. We included data obtained from participants completing health-related self-administered survey questionnaire, both validated and non-validated. We also included data offered by both healthy volunteers and by those with any clinical diagnosis. We included studies that reported any of the following outcomes: data equivalence; data accuracy; data completeness; response rates; differences in the time taken to complete a survey questionnaire; differences in respondent’s adherence to the original sampling protocol; and acceptability to respondents of the delivery mode. We included studies that were published in 2007 or after, as devices that became available during this time are compatible with the mobile operating system (OS) framework that focuses on apps. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently extracted data from the included studies using a standardised form created for this systematic review in REDCap. They then compared their forms to reach consensus. Through an initial systematic mapping on the included studies, we identified two settings in which survey completion took place: controlled and uncontrolled. These settings differed in terms of (i) the location where surveys were completed, (ii) the frequency and intensity of sampling protocols, and (iii) the level of control over potential confounders (e.g., type of technology, level of help offered to respondents).We conducted a narrative synthesis of the evidence because a meta-analysis was not appropriate due to high levels of clinical and methodological diversity. We reported our findings for each outcome according to the setting in which the studies were conducted. Main results: We included 14 studies (15 records) with a total of 2275 participants; although we included only 2272 participants in the final analyses as there were missing data for three participants from one included study. Regarding data equivalence, in both controlled and uncontrolled settings, the included studies found no significant differences in the mean overall scores between apps and other delivery modes, and that all correlation coefficients exceeded the recommended thresholds for data equivalence. Concerning the time taken to complete a survey questionnaire in a controlled setting, one study found that an app was faster than paper, whereas the other study did not find a significant difference between the two delivery modes. In an uncontrolled setting, one study found that an app was faster than SMS. Data completeness and adherence to sampling protocols were only reported in uncontrolled settings. Regarding the former, an app was found to result in more complete records than paper, and in significantly more data entries than an SMS-based survey questionnaire. Regarding adherence to the sampling protocol, apps may be better than paper but no different from SMS. We identified multiple definitions of acceptability to respondents, with inconclusive results: preference; ease of use; willingness to use a delivery mode; satisfaction; effectiveness of the system informativeness; perceived time taken to complete the survey questionnaire; perceived benefit of a delivery mode; perceived usefulness of a delivery mode; perceived ability to complete a survey questionnaire; maximum length of time that participants would be willing to use a delivery mode; and reactivity to the delivery mode and its successful integration into respondents’ daily routine. Finally, regardless of the study setting, none of the included studies reported data accuracy or response rates. Authors’ conclusions: Our results, based on a narrative synthesis of the evidence, suggest that apps might not affect data equivalence as long as the intended clinical application of the survey questionnaire, its intended frequency of administration and the setting in which it was validated remain unchanged. There were no data on data accuracy or response rates, and findings on the time taken to complete a self-administered survey questionnaire were contradictory. Furthermore, although apps might improve data completeness, there is not enough evidence to assess their impact on adherence to sampling protocols. None of the included studies assessed how elements of user interaction design, survey questionnaire design and intervention design might influence mode effects. Those conducting research in public health and epidemiology should not assume that mode effects relevant to other delivery modes apply to apps running on consumer smart devices. Those conducting methodological research might wish to explore the issues highlighted by this systematic review

Using Mobile Learning to Enhance the Quality of Nursing Practice Education

In this chapter, we first review the research literature pertaining to the use of mobile devices in nursing education and assess the potential of mobile learning (m-learning) for nursing practice education experiences in rural higher education settings. While there are a number of definitions of m-learning, we adopted Koole’s (2005) FRAME model, which describes it as a process resulting from the convergence of mobile technologies, human learning capacities, and social interaction, and use it as a framework to assess this literature. Second, we report on the results of one-on-one trials conducted during the first stage of a two stage, exploratory evaluation study of a project to integrate mobile learning into the Bachelor of Science Nursing curriculum in a Western Canadian college program. Fourth year Nursing students and instructors used Hewlett Packard iPAQ PDAs for a two week period around campus and the local community. The iPAQs provided both WiFi and GPRS wireless capability and were loaded with selected software, including MS Office Mobile, nursing decision-making and drug reference programs. Our participants reported on a variety of benefits and barriers to the use of these devices in nursing practice education

The Development and Evaluation of an Ecological Momentary Intervention for Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is a common mental health problem. Many people do not seek help due to barriers to accessing services. Novel methods have been explored that enhance existing assessments and treatments to be more accessible to people outside a clinic. Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) are real-time approaches that allow a person to self-assess their anxiety while they engage in daily activities. Ecological Momentary Interventions (EMI) are approaches that extend EMA to deliver psychological treatment to people in their natural environment. EMIs can be used as an adjunct to existing therapies, or as a standalone intervention. The current thesis examines the development and evaluation of EMIs for social anxiety through four related studies. The first study is a meta-review of observational and evaluation studies using EMA to assess or target various mental disorders. The study found 14 reviews that examined general psychopathology, mood disorders, borderline personality disorder, smoking addiction, and psychosis. The study concluded that there is a need for higher quality reviews on anxiety and stress and more reviews of studies that evaluate EMI effects. The second study is a systematic review of EMIs for stress and anxiety, which includes a meta-analysis on the EMI effects on generalised anxiety. This study suggests that EMIs may be effective but indicates a research gap in EMIs for social anxiety. The third study is a case study on the design and development of an EMI for social anxiety. This study demonstrated the use of three software development approaches and discussed the implications of those approaches on the iterative design process, the development of software components, and the challenges of engagement and communication with stakeholders, documentation and time management. The fourth study presents the protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) for the evaluation of an EMI for social anxiety. The RCT protocol was a two-arm study design that examined the EMI effects against a waitlist control group. The final study presents the RCT outcomes in an adult sample (n = 55) testing the effectiveness of the EMI for reducing social anxiety symptoms. This study found the EMI was not associated with significant improvements in social anxiety relative to the control. Nor the EMI was associated with a significant improvement in anxiety sensitivity, psychological distress, generalised anxiety and depression, or help-seeking. While the participants who used the mobile app reported being satisfied, the study suffered from significant drop out with 83% of the participants not completing the study. Overall, the current thesis found that EMIs are promising, but more research is needed to address the challenges in developing an EMI for social anxiety that incorporates an iterative and reflexive development process. Furthermore, the RCT on the resulting EMI faced challenges with recruitment and retention, suggesting that alternative methods may be required for increasing the engagement of individuals in self-guided EMIs. Nevertheless, with further technological and methodological developments, EMIs may offer an opportunity to deliver personalised therapy for people experiencing anxiety

A Systematic Review of Recent Smartphone, Internet and Web 2.0 Interventions to Address the HIV Continuum of Care

eHealth, mHealth and “Web 2.0” social media strategies can effectively reach and engage key populations in HIV prevention across the testing, treatment, and care continuum. To assess how these tools are currently being used within the field of HIV prevention and care, we systematically reviewed recent (2013–2014) published literature, conference abstracts, and funded research. Our searches identified 23 published intervention studies and 32 funded projects underway. In this synthesis we describe the technology modes applied and the stages of the HIV care cascade addressed, including both primary and secondary prevention activities. Overall trends include use of new tools including social networking sites, provision of real-time assessment and feedback, gamification and virtual reality. While there has been increasing attention to use of technology to address the care continuum, gaps remain around linkage to care, retention in care, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy

ONLINE STATIONERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OSMS)

Over the past few years, the Internet has played a very important role be it at home, work or school. Internet applications such as online shopping and online voting has been widely accepted worldwide. This project focuses on the significance of online systems technology for managing stationeries in UTP, to enhance the systems from manual to online and to implement an integrated system. The development methodology of this research is based on the author's own methodology which involves phases such as Analysis, Design and Construction. The project is being developed using server side scripting, PFIP and MySQL database. Using the manual system, UTP has to face a few problems such as difficulties onmanaging staffdata, stationery request forms and stationeries as well. By implementing a new web based systems those problems can be minimized as well as saving costof purchasing papers