Human-computer interaction for development (HCI4D):the Southern African landscape

Human-Computer interaction for development (HCI4D) research aims to maximise the usability of interfaces for interacting with technologies designed specifically for under-served, under-resourced, and under-represented populations. In this paper we provide a snapshot of the Southern African HCI4D research against the background of the global HCI4D research landscape.We commenced with a systematic literature review of HCI4D (2010-2017) then surveyed Southern African researchers working in the area. The contribution is to highlight the context- specific themes and challenges that emerged from our investigation

Managing chronic pathologies with a stepped mHealth-based approach in clinical psychology and medicine

Chronic diseases and conditions typically require long-term monitoring and treatment protocols both in traditional settings and in out-patient frameworks. The economic burden of chronic conditions is a key challenge and new and mobile technologies could offer good solutions. mHealth could be considered an evolution of eHealth and could be defined as the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile communication devices. mHealth approach could overcome limitations linked with the traditional, restricted, and highly expensive in-patient treatment of many chronic pathologies. Possible applications include stepped mHealth approach, where patients can be monitored and treated in their everyday contexts. Unfortunately, many barriers for the spread of mHealth are still present. Due the significant impact of psychosocial factors on disease evolution, psychotherapies have to be included into the chronic disease protocols. Existing psychological theories of health behavior change have to be adapted to the new technological contexts and requirements. In conclusion, clinical psychology and medicine have to face the "chronic care management" challenge in both traditional and mHealth settings

Portuguese hospitals’ main challenges in implementing Big Data projects for early detection of adverse events

Big Data has been creating much excitement and promises to solve many of the current health systems’ challenges. A specific application allows predicting adverse events, such as nosocomial infections, 24-48 hours earlier than traditional methods, by analysing in real-time physiological data allied with clinical information, and by extracting knowledge from this stored data. However, the implementation of this kind of projects is not without challenges. Hence, the objective of this thesis is to understand the main barriers in implementing Big Data projects for early detection of adverse events in the specific case of Portuguese hospitals. The collection of primary data, through surveys and interviews, allowed identifying three main barriers. Firstly, there is a generalized low knowledge regarding Big Data, which can hinder the consideration of these projects in the yearly budget and create difficulties in understanding how it can be applied and benefit the hospital. Secondly, a shortage of “Data Scientists” in Portuguese hospitals was reported, being this skilled labour crucial to creatively look at the data and understand how it generates value. Finally, an initial high investment with still undiscovered business value is a true barrier, reflecting the hospitals’ budget constraints. However, two initially identified obstacles were not validated by this analysis. Firstly, being an organizational change necessary to adapt to this new paradigm, resistance from managers and caregivers is not expected. Furthermore, data security and privacy were not considered true impediments but rather a requirement of the technology.“Big Data” tem vindo a despertar muita atenção e promete resolver os principais desafios que os sistemas de saúde hoje enfrentam. Uma aplicação específica permite prever intercorrências, como infeções adquiridas no hospital, 24-48 horas mais cedo do que os métodos tradicionais, através de uma análise em tempo real de fluxos fisiológicos e informação complementar, tal como da extração de novos algoritmos integrados nos dados armazenados. Contudo, a implementação destes projectos tem associada desafios e dificuldades. Assim, o objetivo desta tese é compreender quais as principais barreiras à implementação de projectos de “Big Data” para deteção precoce de intercorrências, no caso específico dos hospitais portugueses. Dados recolhidos através de inquéritos e entrevistas, permitiram identificar três barreiras principais. Primeiramente, o nível de conhecimento sobre “Big Data” é baixo, o que poderá impedir a inclusão deste tipo de projetos no orçamento e dificultar o entendimento relativamente à sua aplicação no meio hospitalar. Seguidamente, foi reportada uma carência generalizada de “Data Scientists”, sendo estes cruciais para olhar de forma criativa para os dados, compreendendo como podem gerar valor. Finalmente, a necessidade de existir um elevado investimento inicial, associada à falta de evidência relativamente aos benefícios, foi considerada uma barreira, refletida nas restrições orçamentais dos hospitais. Contudo, dois obstáculos inicialmente identificados, não foram validados pela análise. Primeiro, sendo necessária uma transformação organizacional, não é esperada resistência por parte dos gestores ou médicos e enfermeiros. Por outro lado, segurança e privacidade dos dados não foram consideradas uma barreira, mas algo que a tecnologia teria que garantir

Assessing Needs of Care in European Nations. ENEPRI Policy Brief No. 14, 28 December 2012

This Policy Brief presents the research questions, main results and policy implications and recommendations of the seven Work Packages that formed the basis of the ANCIEN research project, financed under the 7th EU Research Framework Programme of the European Commission. Carried out over a 44-month period and involving 20 partners from EU member states, the project principally concerns the future of long-term care (LTC) for the elderly in Europe and addresses two questions in particular: How will need, demand, supply and use of LTC develop? How do different systems of LTC perform

The Adoption of Mobile Health Applications by Patients in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

Mobile health (m-health) apps adoption in developing countries is a new research area in the healthcare industry. M-health is comparatively recent in information systems, with little attention being paid to it developing countries in the previous years. Applications of the m-health strategies in developing nations are considered one of the best platforms for guaranteeing the citizenry’s safety and healthcare security. A systematic review was conducted of m-health apps adoption by patients in developing countries to evaluate the current results. It reviews 22 papers that were published on the topic of m-health adoption in developing countries in academic journals and conferences over the last decade. It identifies the research in terms of research methodologies, theories and models adopted, significant factors identified, limitations and recommendations. Findings show there is a limited contribution to m-health apps adoption in developing countries. Most studies employed TAM and focused on the technological and individual levels; very low intention has been made to health-related factors, levels, and theories. The review presents a broad overview of previous academic studies with a view to future research

Rural Heart Attack Care

The rural and frontier populations have fewer health care resources and remain an underserved health care consumer. The purpose of the Capstone Project was to standardize care of the rural STEMI patient with an algorithm developed by teams, and using systems improvements. The nationally recognized urban algorithm for STEMI care (Kushner et al., 2009) was tested in the rural environment of Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) in Salida Colorado. The project emphasis was process improvement. A multi-disciplinary team was developed at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) and the clinical practice guidelines were reviewed. A modified algorithm for STEMI care was developed. The outcomes revealed a comparison group of three STEMI patients and an interventional group of seven STEMI patients. The care delivery time was reduced from 288 minutes in 2010, without the algorithm to 150 minutes with the algorithm in 2011. The algorithm proved clinically relevant and has become a useful tool in rural heart attack care for HRRMC

“A theory of human dignity” for children who are born with acute physical and mental challenges grounded on the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Doctor of Theology. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2018.Almost every day, world-wide, women, young and adults give birth to a child. The birth of a child becomes a moment of joy. It becomes a vivid reality of the maintenance and continuation of the family lineage. It is therefore a unique blessing to the family and society. Unfortunately, there are mothers who give birth to children with physical and mental disabilities. Such situations may give rise to frustration among couples. It may, in some cases, create an atmosphere of hopelessness and fear of coping with the reality of living with a child. In extreme cases, most parents are left in a dilemma, not knowing what to do. It is within this context that some mothers and families resort to drastic choices that are detrimental to the life of a child with disabilities. Some mothers and families may opt to abandon the child by stopping to provide the child with the basic human needs that would sustain its well-being. Children who are born with disabilities seem to be victims of child abuse of that nature. There has been an advocacy in the country (South Africa) on issues of human rights especially the rights of children in general and specifically children with disabilities1 since the end of apartheid and the dawn of democracy, yet the fundamental rights of children with disabilities are still being violated. There are several instances of children with disabilities and other medical conditions being abandoned, dumped in inhuman conditions and in extreme cases, instant death is induced on them. Children with disabilities are often side-lined in society. In this regard, the issue of children being abandoned is one of the major bio-ethical issues that is of great concern in this study. It is within this context that the research work will study the situation of children who are born with disabilities in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa as means of addressing the existential problem. The thesis opens a pro-life theological discussion for children with disabilities that is grounded on the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church that is relevant to children with disabilities in the area in question. The scope of the study is to bring about a theology of human dignity that would bring about integral human development in the region. 1 The Human Rights Council Resolution 26/20, (2015), On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Social Protection: Special Rapporteur Questionnaire to States Parties, Republic of South Africa and Response from the Government of South Africa, 9. It states: “Since 1994 the government has formulated various policies to address the inequalities which were embedded in the policies pursued by the apartheid regime. The policies have focused on empowering previously disadvantaged groups including women, children, and disabled persons. These policies are contained in various policy documents such as the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), Growth, Employment, and Redistribution (GEAR) and the Integrated National Disability Strategy (INDS). The need for relevant data and information on prevalence and experience of disability has increasingly grown because of the need to monitor and evaluate the impact of these policies. (Child Care Act 38 of 2005, Gazette No. 28944, Notice No. 610. Chapter 2, Section 2, Article 11, 1 and 2.) The current research project will study the situation as outlined: the first chapter will study the socio-political situation of the region concerning children with disabilities. The second chapter will make an in-depth investigation on the cultural and ethical reasons why children are abandoned. The third 7 chapter will study the different concepts of human dignity, ethical perspectives and examine the contemporary implications of child homicide. The fourth chapter will further make a theological evaluation of the various concepts of human dignity in reference to the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church as given in Gaudium et Spes and Evangelium Vitae.2 The fifth chapter will formulate a Theology of Human Dignity that would be in accord with children born with disabilities and that would be consistent with issues of the rights of children. The sixth chapter will constitute a review of the chapters, summary findings, recommendations, and the type of Theology of Human Dignity for children

Understanding the complex and dynamic nature of e-health systems assimilation: a system dynamics modelling approach

2018 Conference paper presented at Strathmore University, Nairobi Kenya. Thematic area (Health, Healthcare Management and Research Ethics)Technology assimilation process allows organisations and individuals to integrate technologies into their user practices in a non-routine post-adoptive manner that enhances organisational outcomes. However, previous research in technology implementation shows an assimilation gap between organisational adoption and the full deployment of these technologies within work practices. Healthcare institutions suffer from low technology assimilation often associated with slow uptake on e-health systems. Technology assimilation is a dynamic and complex process and yet previous studies seem incognisant of this understanding and have mainly used variance models to conceptualise and study technology usage. Such studies have thus failed to acknowledge the impact of elements of feedback loops, delays and non-linearity inherent in technology assimilation on the use of technologies. This paper highlights the complex dynamic nature of technology assimilation process within a healthcare setting and proposes system dynamics as a complementary approach to model e-health systems assimilation. System dynamics is an approach used by researchers to gain decision insights into complex dynamic systems by inferring system behaviour from the structure of the system.1.Faculty of Information Technology; Strathmore University 2.School of Computing and Informatics; Mount Kenya Universit