Information technology for active ageing: A review of theory and practice

Active Ageing aims to foster a physically, mentally and socially active lifestyle as a person ages. It is a complex, multi-faceted problem that involves a variety of different actors, such as policy makers, doctors, care givers, family members, friends and, of course, older adults. This review aims to understand the role of a new actor, which increasingly plays the role of enabler and facilitator, i.e., that of the technology provider. The review specifically focuses on Information Technology (IT), with a particular emphasis on software applications, and on how IT can prevent decline, compensate for lost capabilities, aid care, and enhance existing capabilities. The analysis confirms the crucial role of IT in Active Ageing, shows that Active Ageing requires a multidisciplinary approach, and identifies the need for better integration of hardware, software, the environment and the involved actors

Are HIV smartphone apps and online interventions fit for purpose?

Sexual health is an under-explored area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Due to the stigma associated with these infections, people are often motivated to seek information online. With the rise of smartphone and web apps, there is enormous potential for technology to provide easily accessible information and resources. However, using online information raises important concerns about the trustworthiness of these resources and whether they are fit for purpose. We conducted a review of smartphone and web apps to investigate the landscape of currently available online apps and whether they meet the diverse needs of people seeking information on HIV online. Our functionality review revealed that existing technology interventions have a one-size-fits-all approach and do not support the breadth and complexity of HIV-related support needs. We argue that technology-based interventions need to signpost their offering and provide tailored support for different stages of HIV, including prevention, testing, diagnosis and management

How 5G wireless (and concomitant technologies) will revolutionize healthcare?

The need to have equitable access to quality healthcare is enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which defines the developmental agenda of the UN for the next 15 years. In particular, the third SDG focuses on the need to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. In this paper, we build the case that 5G wireless technology, along with concomitant emerging technologies (such as IoT, big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning), will transform global healthcare systems in the near future. Our optimism around 5G-enabled healthcare stems from a confluence of significant technical pushes that are already at play: apart from the availability of high-throughput low-latency wireless connectivity, other significant factors include the democratization of computing through cloud computing; the democratization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing (e.g., IBM Watson); and the commoditization of data through crowdsourcing and digital exhaust. These technologies together can finally crack a dysfunctional healthcare system that has largely been impervious to technological innovations. We highlight the persistent deficiencies of the current healthcare system and then demonstrate how the 5G-enabled healthcare revolution can fix these deficiencies. We also highlight open technical research challenges, and potential pitfalls, that may hinder the development of such a 5G-enabled health revolution

The Promise of Information and Communication Technology In Health Care: Extracting Value from the Chaos

Healthcare is an information business with expanding use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Current ICT tools are immature, but a brighter future looms. We examine 7 areas of ICT in healthcare: electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), patient portals, telemedicine, social media, mobile devices and wearable sensors and monitors, and privacy and security. In each of these areas, we examine the current status and future promise, highlighting how each might reach its promise. Steps to better EHRs include a universal programming interface, universal patient identifiers, improved documentation and improved data analysis. HIEs require federal subsidies for sustainability and support from EHR vendors, targeting seamless sharing of EHR data. Patient portals must bring patients into the EHR with better design and training, greater provider engagement and leveraging HIEs. Telemedicine needs sustainable payment models, clear rules of engagement, quality measures and monitoring. Social media needs consensus on rules of engagement for providers, better data mining tools and approaches to counter disinformation. Mobile and wearable devices benefit from a universal programming interface, improved infrastructure, more rigorous research and integration with EHRs and HIEs. Laws for privacy and security need updating to match current technologies, and data stewards should share information on breaches and standardize best practices. ICT tools are evolving quickly in healthcare and require a rational and well-funded national agenda for development, use and assessment

A Study Identifying Information Technology Development Strategies for Nursing Professional Development Specialists Practicing in Healthcare Settings

The increased use of information systems (IS) in healthcare institutions, federal health information technology (IT) policy mandating the use of information systems in patient care, and the nursing informatics agenda force healthcare organizations to address the informatics competency of its workforce (Murphy, 2010). This study validates IT competencies for Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Specialists and determines self-directed, informal learning strategies for developing information technology competency. The NPD Specialist is responsible for the professional development of nursing caregivers in healthcare settings. This study validated 53 IT competencies for the NPD Specialist role in healthcare settings. The validated competencies include current healthcare technology, federal health IT policy, evidence-based practice, and other necessary topics within healthcare. This study regarded 41 competencies (of the 53 validated IT competencies) as high importance, or essential, to the NPD Specialists role in healthcare settings today. Strategies were also identified for developing the essential IT competencies. The NPD Specialists and leaders within healthcare organizations can use the validated essential IT competencies and development strategies from this study to build IT competency amongst its workforce (ANA, 2010)

Game Changer: Investing in Digital Play to Advance Children's Learning and Health

Based on a literature review and interviews with digital learning experts, explores how digital games can foster skills and knowledge for better academic performance and health. Makes recommendations for government research, partnerships, and media

Challenges, Opportunities and Options for the Development of Rural Financial Institutions

Why does IFAD need rural finance guidelines? With its exclusive emphasis on rural poverty alleviation, IFAD enjoys a competitive advantage over other development agencies, and should strengthen its role by providing support for the development of rural finance as an important instrument. The goal of IFAD?s support for rural finance is the sustainable improvement of the livelihood of the rural poor. This paper offers guiding principles to IFAD?s staff and partner institutions to stimulate innovation and deepen impact by providing options for the effective development of sustainable financial services of increasing outreach to the rural poor. Once adopted, it will serve as a basis for the elaboration of more specific technical papers as well as strategy papers within IFAD?s regional divisions. --

Innovations in e-health

The theme of ISOQOL’s 19th Annual Conference in Budapest, Hungary, was The Journey of Quality of Life Research: A Path Towards Personalized Medicine. Innovations in e-health was one of four plenary panels. E-health is changing the landscape of clinical practice and health care, but the best way to leverage the many promised benefits of emerging e-health technologies is still not clear. The Innovations in e-health panel presented emerging changes in technologies and applications that will facilitate clinical decision making, improve quality and efficiency of care, engage individuals in clinical decision making, and empower them to adopt healthy behaviors. The purpose of this paper was to present emerging trends in e-health and considerations for successful adoption of new technologies, and an overview of each of the presentations in the e-health plenary. The presentations included a personal perspective on the use of technology for self-monitoring in Parkinson’s disease, an overview of online social networks and emerging technologies, and the collection of patient-reported outcomes through web-based systems in clinical practice. The common thread across all the talks was the application of e-health tools to empower individuals with chronic disease to be actively engaged in the management of their health. Considerations regarding data ownership and privacy, universal access to e-health, interactivity between different types of e-health technologies, and tailoring applications to individual needs were explored

Designing evaluation plans for mHealth interventions : a case study on The Weal Life app

As an applied research project, the purpose of this dissertation is to develop a suitable framework for health-tech companies to evaluate and monitor their mobile-based health technologies’ efficacy and usability, whilst defining features and maximizing performance. Indeed, since no officially recognized standards exist for mobile health (mHealth) apps evaluation, despite the fact they can produce health or behavioral benefits, this crucial assessment is often overlooked by companies and poorly integrated into planning. This research illustrates four mHealth evaluation frameworks and describes the assessment plan that has been developed for The Weal Life app, a socially connected app targeted to caregivers and circle of support. Ultimately, and this is our main finding, we identified two necessary conditions for health-tech companies to maximize their mHealth apps evaluation and performance. The first is to embrace a strategic approach that aligns both the mobile health intervention and app development goals, and the second is to assess the impact of these technologies. Indeed, we show that impact measurement process plays the role of “information systems” allowing companies not only to quantify the impact of their products, but also to monitor and improve their performance constantly. The detail of The Weal Life assessment plan will ensure the findings add to evidence and have broad relevance to healthcare professionals and researchers in general.Enquanto projeto de pesquisa, o objetivo desta dissertação é desenvolver diretrizes adequadas para as empresas de tecnologias da saúde avaliarem e monitorizarem a eficácia e usabilidade das suas tecnologias móveis, paralelamente definindo especificidades e aumentando o desempenho. Com efeito, uma vez que não existem linhas de orientação reconhecidas no que toca à avaliação de aplicações mHealth, apesar das mesmas poderem ser benéficas para a saúde e comportamento, este estudo crucial é amiúde desprezado por empresas e pobremente executado. Esta pesquisa ilustra quatro formas de avaliação mHealth e descreve o plano de teste que foi desenvolvido para a app The Weal Life, uma aplicação social orientada para os cuidadores e círculo de apoio. Em síntese, identificámos duas condições necessárias para que empresas tecnológicas na área de saúde possam maximizar a avaliação e performance das suas aplicações mHealth. A primeira consiste em aplicar uma abordagem estratégica que alinhe ambos os objetivos da intervenção tecnológica e do desenvolvimento da aplicação; a segunda, e mais importante, é avaliar corretamente o impacto destas mesmas tecnologias na população-alvo e sociedade em geral. De facto, concluímos que a avaliação funcionará como um “sistema de informação” atualizado, permitindo às empresas quantificar, monitorizar e melhorar a performance dos seus produtos. O detalhe do plano de avaliação da The Weal Life vai fundamentar os resultados postos em evidência e ser relevante para os profissionais de saúde e investigadores em geral