6 research outputs found

    Designing a mobile application interface to support mid-career professionals in creating better financial futures

    Get PDF
    South Africans borrow more and save less than other nations (Discovery Bank, 2018). One reason is a lack of financial knowledge. If a mobile application could guide individuals to modify their financial habits slightly by spending less and saving more, they could dramatically improve their financial future. When designing visualisation systems such as a mobile application interface, users' qualitative design feedback and quantitative usability evaluation are both important and complementary. The benefit of usability feedback in software development is undisputed. The importance of qualitative design feedback from users however, seems to be controversial in Science. Gathering users' qualitative design feedback, ahead of usability evaluation, can have a substantial impact on downstream development costs. The researcher used design as a tool for thinking (imagining new possibilities) and communicating (sharing ideas). The purpose was to clarify ways in which a mobile application interface could support users in making better financial decisions and creating better financial futures for themselves and consequently for society. A user centred design (UCD) approach was followed, emphasising design before development, with a strong focus on user involvement in all three phases, namely requirements gathering, design and evaluation. A primary client archetype for mid-career professionals was developed, split into two personas, Alan and Zoe, based on personality and self-rated motivational attributes which were used in an unconventional way to inspire two parallel, diverse designs. In early design stages, before an idea is well formed, producing multiple contrasting designs in parallel and qualitative design feedback from users is beneficial to establishing utility (solving the right problem), tapping into users' domain knowledge, improving the quality of the design and reducing fixation on one idea. Once the concept has been socialised and evolved sufficiently with users' input, converging on one final design and testing usability (solving the problem in the right way) become more important. This research offers two refinements of the UCD process guidelines for the benefit of researchers and practitioners

    Effective Project Management of a Pan-African Cancer Research Network : Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP)

    Get PDF
    CITATION: Odiaka, E. 2018. Effective Project Management of a Pan-African Cancer Research Network : Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP). Journal of Global Oncology, 4:1-12, doi:10.1200/JGO.18.00062.The original publication is available at https://ascopubs.orgPurpose Health research in low- and middle-income countries can generate novel scientific knowledge and improve clinical care, fostering population health improvements to prevent premature death. Project management is a critical part of the success of this research, applying knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to accomplish required goals. Here, we describe the development and implementation of tools to support a multifaceted study of prostate cancer in Africa, focusing on building strategic and operational capacity. Methods Applying a learning organizational framework, we developed and implemented a project management toolkit (PMT) that includes a management process flowchart, a cyclical centerspecific schedule of activities, periodic reporting and communication, and center-specific monitoring and evaluation metrics. Results The PMT was successfully deployed during year one of the project with effective component implementation occurring through periodic cycles of dissemination and feedback to local center project managers. A specific evaluation was conducted 1 year after study initiation to obtain enrollment data, evaluate individual quality control management plans, and undertake risk log assessments and follow-up. Pilot data obtained identified areas in which centers required mentoring, strengthening, and capacity development. Strategies were implemented to improve project goals and operational capacity through local problem solving, conducting quality control checks and following compliancy with study aims. Moving forward, centers will perform quarterly evaluations and initiate strengthening measures as required. Conclusion The PMT has fostered the development of both strategic and operational capacity across project centers. Investment in project management resources is essential to ensuring high-quality, impactful health research in low- and middle-income countries.https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JGO.18.00062Publisher's versio

    Biochemical progression free and overall survival among Black men with stage IV prostate cancer in South Africa: Results from a prospective cohort study

    No full text
    Abstract Background Men of African descent are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer (PCa), and many have metastatic disease at presentation. In South Africa (SA), androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the first‐line treatment for stage IV PCa. Objective To identify predictors of overall survival (OS) in Black South African men with stage IV PCa treated with ADT. Design, Setting, and Participants Men diagnosed with prostate cancer (3/22/2016–10/30/2020) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, were recruited for the Men of African Descent with Cancer of the Prostate study. We included men with newly diagnosed stage IV PCa treated with ADT who had a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level drawn prior to initiation of ADT and had ≥1 PSA drawn ≥12 weeks after ADT start. Outcomes Measures and Statistical Analysis We used Kaplan–Meier statistics to estimate OS and Cox regression models to identify predictors of OS. Results and Limitations Of the 1097 men diagnosed with prostate cancer, we included 153 men with stage IV PCa who received ADT and met PSA requirements. The median age was 68.0 years (interquartile range 64–73 years). Median OS from time of ADT initiation was 3.39 years (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.14%–noncalculable), while biochemical progression‐free survival was 2.36 years (95% CI: 2.03%–3.73%). Biochemical progression (HR 3.52, 95% CI: 1.85%–6.70%), PSA nadir level >4 ng/mL (HR 3.77, 95% CI: 1.86%–7.62%), alkaline phosphatase level at diagnosis >150 IU/dL (HR 3.09, 95% CI: 1.64%–5.83%), and hemoglobin at diagnosis <13.5 g/dL (HR 2.90, 95% CI: 1.28%–6.56%) were associated with worse OS. Conclusions In this study, we identified factors associated with poor OS among Black South African men with stage IV PCa treated with ADT. These factors may be useful in identifying patients for upfront treatment escalation, including the use of docetaxel chemotherapy or escalation of therapy at the time of biochemical progression. Patient Summary In this study, we found that high alkaline phosphatase level, anemia at diagnosis, and high PSA nadir after initiation of androgen deprivation therapy are associated with worse overall survival among Black South African men treated with androgen deprivation therapy for metastatic prostate cancer

    School-based programmes for preventing smoking

    No full text
    corecore