Development and testing of an online community care platform for frail older adults in the Netherlands: a user-centred design

Background Recent transitions in long-term care in the Netherlands have major consequences for community-dwelling older adults. A new paradigm expects them to manage and arrange their own care and support as much as possible. Technology can support this shift. A study has been conducted to explore the needs of community-dwelling frail older adults with regard to an online platform. An existing platform was subsequently modified, based upon these needs, resulting in an online community care platform (OCC-platform) comprising of care, health, and communication functions. The purpose of this platform was to support frail older adults in their independence and functioning, by stimulating self-care and providing reliable information, products and services. Methods The study used a User-Centred Design. The development processes involved the following steps: Step 1) Identification of the User Requirements. To assess the user requirements, direct observations (N = 3) and interviews (N = 14) were performed. Step 2) Modification of an Existing Online Platform. Based upon Step 1, available online platforms were explored to determine whether an existing useful product was available. Two companies collaborated in modifying such a platform; Step 3) Testing the Modified Platform. A total of 73 older adults were invited to test a prototype of the OCC-platform during 6 months, which comprised of two phases: (1) a training phase; and (2) a testing phase. Results An iterative process of modifications resulted in an interactive software concept on a Standard PC, containing 11 Functions. The Functions of ‘contacts’, ‘services’ and ‘messaging’, were by far, the most frequently used. The use was at its highest during the first 2 weeks of the testing and then its use steadily declined. The vast majority of the subjects (94%) were positive about the usability of the platform. Only a minority of the subjects (27%) indicated that the platform had added value for them. Conclusion The overall prospect was that an OCC-platform can contribute to the social participation and the self-management competencies of frail older adults, together with their social cohesion in the community. In order to validate these prospects, further research is needed on the characteristics and the impact of online platforms

Evidence for models of diagnostic service provision in the community: literature mapping exercise and focused rapid reviews

Background Current NHS policy favours the expansion of diagnostic testing services in community and primary care settings. Objectives Our objectives were to identify current models of community diagnostic services in the UK and internationally and to assess the evidence for quality, safety and clinical effectiveness of such services. We were also interested in whether or not there is any evidence to support a broader range of diagnostic tests being provided in the community. Review methods We performed an initial broad literature mapping exercise to assess the quantity and nature of the published research evidence. The results were used to inform selection of three areas for investigation in more detail. We chose to perform focused reviews on logistics of diagnostic modalities in primary care (because the relevant issues differ widely between different types of test); diagnostic ultrasound (a key diagnostic technology affected by developments in equipment); and a diagnostic pathway (assessment of breathlessness) typically delivered wholly or partly in primary care/community settings. Databases and other sources searched, and search dates, were decided individually for each review. Quantitative and qualitative systematic reviews and primary studies of any design were eligible for inclusion. Results We identified seven main models of service that are delivered in primary care/community settings and in most cases with the possible involvement of community/primary care staff. Not all of these models are relevant to all types of diagnostic test. Overall, the evidence base for community- and primary care-based diagnostic services was limited, with very few controlled studies comparing different models of service. We found evidence from different settings that these services can reduce referrals to secondary care and allow more patients to be managed in primary care, but the quality of the research was generally poor. Evidence on the quality (including diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of test ordering) and safety of such services was mixed. Conclusions In the absence of clear evidence of superior clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, the expansion of community-based services appears to be driven by other factors. These include policies to encourage moving services out of hospitals; the promise of reduced waiting times for diagnosis; the availability of a wider range of suitable tests and/or cheaper, more user-friendly equipment; and the ability of commercial providers to bid for NHS contracts. However, service development also faces a number of barriers, including issues related to staffing, training, governance and quality control. Limitations We have not attempted to cover all types of diagnostic technology in equal depth. Time and staff resources constrained our ability to carry out review processes in duplicate. Research in this field is limited by the difficulty of obtaining, from publicly available sources, up-to-date information about what models of service are commissioned, where and from which providers. Future work There is a need for research to compare the outcomes of different service models using robust study designs. Comparisons of ‘true’ community-based services with secondary care-based open-access services and rapid access clinics would be particularly valuable. There are specific needs for economic evaluations and for studies that incorporate effects on the wider health system. There appears to be no easy way of identifying what services are being commissioned from whom and keeping up with local evaluations of new services, suggesting a need to improve the availability of information in this area. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme

INOVASI APLIKASI TRANSPORTASIKU DI DINAS PERHUBUNGAN KOTA SURABAYA

Penggunaan teknologi saat ini dibutuhkan dalam bidang pelayanan publik. Seiring dengan bertambahnya kebutuhan masyarakat maka pemerintah sebagai penyedia layanan publik terus melakukan pembaruan terhadap perubahan pelayanan yang diberikan agar memudahkan masyarakat dalam mendapatkan layanan informasi. Salah satu penerapan e-government oleh Dinas Perhubungan Kota Surabaya adalah inovasi aplikasi TransportasiKu yang bertujuan untuk memberikan layanan informasi terkait lalu lintas dan transportasi umum yang ada di Surabaya secara terkini, praktis, lebih cepat dengan satu aplikasi yang memuat semua informasi melalui genggaman smartphone. Penelitian ini menganalisa menggunakan indikator measuring the quality of e-government from the user prespective (Kozák, 2018) dengan enam indikator yaitu ease of use, content and appearance of the information, reliability, citizen support, trust/security, support in completing forms. Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian deskriptif dengan metode kualitatif, teknik pengumpulan data wawancara, observasi, dokumentasi dan teknik analisa data yaitu pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan/verifikasi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa aplikasi ini mendapat respon yang cukup baik dari masyarakat sebagai pengguna karena dapat memberikan layanan informasi yang dibutuhkan namun masih ada juga gangguan dalam penggunaannya. Indikator pertama, kemudahan penggunaan dirasa para pengguna sangat mudah digunakan untuk setiap saat. Indikator kedua, isi dan tampilan informasi yang dihadirkan sederhana dan lengkap. Indikator ketiga keandalan, pada aplikasi ini server yang digunakan masih kurang cukup. Indikator keempat dukungan masyarakat untuk halaman bantuan tidak tersedia hanya ada kolom komentar. Indikator kelima kepercayaan/keamanan, tidak menyertakan informasi pribadi sehingga aman. Indikator keenam dukungan dalam pengisian, formulir aplikasi ini berbasis informasi tanpa perlu pengisian formulir data para penggunanya. Kata Kunci : Pelayanan Publik, Inovasi, E-Government, TransportasiKu   The use of technology is currently needed in the field of public services. Along with the increasing needs of the community, the government as a public service provider continues to make updates to changes in the services provided to make it easier for the public to get information services. One of the applications of e-government by the Surabaya City Department of Transportation is the TransportationKu application innovation which aims to provide information services related to traffic and public transportation in Surabaya in an up-to-date, practical, faster way with one application that contains all information through the grip of a smartphone. This study analyzes using indicators measuring the quality of e-government from the user perspective (Kozák, 2018) with six indicators, namely ease of use, content and appearance of the information, reliability, citizen support, trust/security, support in completing forms. This research uses descriptive research with qualitative methods, interview data collection techniques, observation, documentation and data analysis techniques, namely data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusion / verification. The results of this study indicate that this application has received a fairly good response from the public as a user because it can provide the information services needed, but there are still disturbances in its use. The first indicator, ease of use, is felt by users to be very easy to use at any time. The second indicator, the content and display of the information presented is simple and complete. The third indicator is reliability, in this application the server used is still insufficient. The fourth indicator of community support for the help page is not available, only a comment column. The fifth indicator is trust / security, does not include personal information so it is safe. The sixth indicator of support in filling in this application form is information-based without the need to fill out user data forms. Keywords: Public Service, Innovation, E-Government, TransportasiK

Role and Opportunity of Library in the context of Open Science

The role of libraries on Open Science has been recognised and discussed at multiple fora and have been accepted publicly by international organisations and stakeholders. It is natural, as academic libraries are already supporting a knowledge sharing and build a common good. In Slovakia, the National Research Library plays a key role in open science movement as we work as the national body strategically coordinating open science issues accross Slovakia. We participated very actively in the bottom-up project, which is Slovak National strategy for Open Science adopted by the Slovak Government in 2021. The Strategy for years 2021 – 2028 sets commitments in the following areas: Open Access to Scientific Publications, Research Data Management and Sharing, Reinforcing Academic Community with the necessary skills and competences, Support to Research IT Infrastructure and Citizen Science (CS). Besides the national support researchers also need support at an individual practical level. In January 2022 the National Research Library introduced online Citizen Science course based on Moodle Platform. Users gain an insight into how to design CS project, how to find partners or information on data and ethics issues. We are committed to promoting not „only“ research information but overall scientific culture based on project-oriented action and networking. In cooperation with the Slovak University of Technology we opened a fablab, a digital manufacturing center and a space for design and production of physical objects via 3D printers or laser cutters, used by professionals (researchers), expert amateurs and general public. We change in nature and structure to meet our user needs through innovative services and practices. As a result, we increase the visibility and strengthen our role in the academic environment while keeping our users – researchers, academics and students – at the heart of all operations

Collaborative Capacity Building: Lessons Learned From the Los Angeles Information Exchange Feasibility Study

There have been several other initiatives around the nation that aggregated consultant databases, provided scoring systems for capacity builders, or aggregated online resources. However, this is the first initiative to evaluate the feasibility of including all three components above in an integrated online format. With this ambitious goal in mind, the planning team evaluated the feasibility and potential business model for an Information Exchange in Los Angeles. The report that follows summarizes the findings, recommendations and lessons that emerged from this feasibility study

Integrating Scientific Publication into an Applied Gaming Ecosystem

The European (EU)-based industry for non-leisuregames (so called Applied Games, AGs) is an emerging business. Assuch it is still fragmented and needs to achieve critical mass tocompete globally. Nevertheless, its growth potential is widelyrecognized and even suggested to exceed the growth potential ofthe leisure games market. The European project Realizing anApplied Gaming Ecosystem (RAGE) is aiming at supporting thischallenge. RAGE will help to seize these opportunities by makingavailable an interoperable set of advanced Applied Game (AG)technology assets, as well as proven practices of using such AGassets in various real-world contexts. As described in [1], RAGEwill finally provide a centralized access to a wide range of appliedgaming software modules, relevant information, knowledge andcommunity services, and related scientific documents, taxonomies,media, and educational resources within an online communityportal called the RAGE Ecosystem. Besides this, an integrationbetween the RAGE Ecosystem and relevant social networkinteraction spaces that arranges and facilitates collaboration thatunderlie Research and Development (R&D), as well as marketorientedinnovation and exploitation will be created in order tosupport community building, as well as collaborative assetexploitation of User Generated Contents (UGCs) of the RAGEEcosystem. In this paper, we will describe the integration of theScientific Publication Platform (SPP) Mendeley [2] into the RAGEEcosystem. This will allow for automating repetitive tasks,reducing errors, and speeding up time consuming tasks. On theother hand it will support information, UGC, and knowledgesharing, as well as persistency of social interaction threads withinSocial Networking Sites (SNSs) and Groupware Systems (GWSs)that are connected to the RAGE Ecosystem. The paper reviewsrelevant use cases and scenarios, as well as related authentication,access, and information integration challenges. In this way, on theone hand a qualitative evaluation regarding an optimal technicalintegration is facilitated while on the other hand designapproaches for supporting features of resulting user interfaces areinitiated

Report of the user requirements and web based access for eResearch workshops

The User Requirements and Web Based Access for eResearch Workshop, organized jointly by NeSC and NCeSS, was held on 19 May 2006. The aim was to identify lessons learned from e-Science projects that would contribute to our capacity to make Grid infrastructures and tools usable and accessible for diverse user communities. Its focus was on providing an opportunity for a pragmatic discussion between e-Science end users and tool builders in order to understand usability challenges, technological options, community-specific content and needs, and methodologies for design and development. We invited members of six UK e-Science projects and one US project, trying as far as possible to pair a user and developer from each project in order to discuss their contrasting perspectives and experiences. Three breakout group sessions covered the topics of user-developer relations, commodification, and functionality. There was also extensive post-meeting discussion, summarized here. Additional information on the workshop, including the agenda, participant list, and talk slides, can be found online at http://www.nesc.ac.uk/esi/events/685/ Reference: NeSC report UKeS-2006-07 available from http://www.nesc.ac.uk/technical_papers/UKeS-2006-07.pd

Personalisation and recommender systems in digital libraries

Widespread use of the Internet has resulted in digital libraries that are increasingly used by diverse communities of users for diverse purposes and in which sharing and collaboration have become important social elements. As such libraries become commonplace, as their contents and services become more varied, and as their patrons become more experienced with computer technology, users will expect more sophisticated services from these libraries. A simple search function, normally an integral part of any digital library, increasingly leads to user frustration as user needs become more complex and as the volume of managed information increases. Proactive digital libraries, where the library evolves from being passive and untailored, are seen as offering great potential for addressing and overcoming these issues and include techniques such as personalisation and recommender systems. In this paper, following on from the DELOS/NSF Working Group on Personalisation and Recommender Systems for Digital Libraries, which met and reported during 2003, we present some background material on the scope of personalisation and recommender systems in digital libraries. We then outline the working group’s vision for the evolution of digital libraries and the role that personalisation and recommender systems will play, and we present a series of research challenges and specific recommendations and research priorities for the field

Bridging the Innovation Divide: An Agenda for Disseminating Technology Innovations within the Nonprofit Sector

Examines technology practices -- such as neighborhood information systems, electronic advocacy, Internet-based micro enterprise support, and digital inclusion initiatives -- that strengthen the capacity of nonprofits and community organizations