Background: During the process of decision-making for long-term care, clients are often dependent on informal support and available information about quality ratings of care services. However, clients do not take ratings into account when considering preferred care, and need assistance to understand their preferences. A tool to elicit preferences for long-term care could be beneficial. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative descriptive study is to understand the user requirements and develop a web-based preference elicitation tool for clients in need of longterm care. Methods: We applied a user-centred design in which end-users influence the development of the tool. The included end-users were clients, relatives, and healthcare professionals. Data collection took place between November 2017 and March 2018 by means of meetings with the development team consisting of four users, walkthrough interviews with 21 individual users, video-audio recordings, field notes, and observations during the use of the tool. Data were collected during three phases of iteration: Look and feel, Navigation, and Content. A deductive and inductive content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: The layout was considered accessible and easy during the Look and feel phase, and users asked for neutral images. Users found navigation easy, and expressed the need for concise and shorter text blocks. Users reached consensus about the categories of preferences, wished to adjust the content with propositions about well-being, and discussed linguistic difficulties. Conclusion: By incorporating the requirements of end-users, the user-centred design proved to be useful in progressing from the prototype to the finalized tool ‘What matters to me’. This tool may assist the elicitation of client’s preferences in their search for long-term care.
Introduction: Sensor-feedback systems can be used to support people after stroke during independent practice of gait. The main aim of the study was to describe the user-centred approach to (re)design the user interface of the sensor feedback system “Stappy” for people after stroke, and share the deliverables and key observations from this process. Methods: The user-centred approach was structured around four phases (the discovery, definition, development and delivery phase) which were fundamental to the design process. Fifteen participants with cognitive and/or physical limitations participated (10 women, 2/3 older than 65). Prototypes were evaluated in multiple test rounds, consisting of 2–7 individual test sessions. Results: Seven deliverables were created: a list of design requirements, a personae, a user flow, a low-, medium- and high-fidelity prototype and the character “Stappy”. The first six deliverables were necessary tools to design the user interface, whereas the character was a solution resulting from this design process. Key observations related to “readability and contrast of visual information”, “understanding and remembering information”, “physical limitations” were confirmed by and “empathy” was additionally derived from the design process. Conclusions: The study offers a structured methodology resulting in deliverables and key observations, which can be used to (re)design meaningful user interfaces for people after stroke. Additionally, the study provides a technique that may promote “empathy” through the creation of the character Stappy. The description may provide guidance for health care professionals, researchers or designers in future user interface design projects in which existing products are redesigned for people after stroke.
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.
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Fysiotherapeuten in de eerste-lijn ervaren problemen met het aanleren en verbeteren van bewegingen bij mensen met neurologische en geriatrische aandoeningen. Er is namelijk relatief weinig bekend over hoe dit proces op maat kan worden vormgegeven in de praktijk. Voor mensen met neurologische en geriatrische aandoeningen is het van essentieel belang om bewegingen die zij ‘kwijt’ zijn opnieuw te leren zodat zij weer zelfstandig kunnen functioneren. Het aanleren en verbeteren van bewegingen, ook motorisch leren genoemd, is echter een complex proces, dat op veel verschillende manieren plaats kan vinden, maar waarbij altijd rekening moet worden gehouden met verschillende patiëntkenmerken (bijv. medische oorzaak, voorkeuren en persoonlijkheid). De huidige kennis op gebied van motorisch leren is vooral gericht op de theorie. Het doel van dit project is om fysiotherapeuten te helpen om deze grote hoeveelheid theoretische kennis en daarnaast de veelal standaard benaderingen te vertalen naar een goed onderbouwde gepersonaliseerde aanpak. Volgende onderzoeksvraag staat daarom centraal: Welke kennis en tools hebben fysiotherapeuten in de eerste-lijn nodig om motorische leerstrategieën gepersonaliseerd toe te passen om neurologische en geriatrische patiënten te ondersteunen bij het leren en verbeteren van dagelijkse bewegingen? Het project is onderverdeeld in drie werkpakketten. In werkpakket A zullen fysiotherapeuten, kennis toepassen en aanvullen en tools (door)ontwikkelen, evalueren en aanpassen (participatory user-centred design) in co-creatie met de patiënten, onderzoekers, docenten en studenten. Werkpakket B bestaat uit een procesevaluatie waarin het gebruik en de ervaringen met de nieuw opgedane kennis en ontwikkelde tools wordt geëvalueerd door fysiotherapeuten en patiënten. In werkpakket C wordt de potentiële maatschappelijke, economische en wetenschappelijke impact van de ontwikkelde kennis en tools bepaald (Business Model Canvas) en worden passende valorisatiestrategieën gekozen. De projectresultaten dragen bij aan de innovatiekracht binnen de fysiotherapie doordat zo veel mogelijk neurologische en geriatrische patiënten efficiënter en effectiever (opnieuw) leren bewegen.
The projectThe overarching goal of DIGNITY, DIGital traNsport In and for socieTY, is to foster a sustainable, integrated and user-friendly digital travel eco-system that improves accessibility and social inclusion, along with the travel experience and daily life of all citizens. The project delves into the digital transport eco-system to grasp the full range of factors that might lead to disparities in the uptake of digitalised mobility solutions by different user groups in Europe. Analysing the digital transition from both a user and provider’s perspective, DIGNITY looks at the challenges brought about by digitalisation, to then design, test and validate the DIGNITY approach, a novel concept that seeks to become the ‘ABCs for a digital inclusive travel system’. The approach combines proven inclusive design methodologies with the principles of foresight analysis to examine how a structured involvement of all actors – local institutions, market players, interest groups and end users – can help bridge the digital gap by co-creating more inclusive mobility solutions and by formulating user-centred policy frameworks.The objectivesThe idea is to support public and private mobility providers in conceiving mainstream digital products or services that are accessible to and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their income, social situation or age; and to help policy makers formulate long-term strategies that promote innovation in transport while responding to global social, demographic and economic changes, including the challenges of poverty and migration.The missionBy focusing on and involving end-users throughout the process of designing policies, products, or services, it is possible to reduce social exclusion while boosting new business models and social innovation. The end result that DIGNITY is aiming for is an innovative decision support tool that can help local and regional decision-makers formulate digitally inclusive policies and strategies, and digital providers design more inclusive products and services.The approachThe DIGNITY approach combines analysis with concrete actions to make digital mobility services inclusive over the long term. The approach connects users’ needs and requirements with the provision of mobility services, and at the same time connects those services to the institutional framework. It is a multi-phase process that first seeks to understand and bridge the digital gap, and then to test, evaluate and fine-tune the approach, so that it can be applied in other contexts even after the project’s end.Partners: ISINNOVA (Italy), Mobiel 21 (Belgium), Universitat Politechnica deCatalunya Spain), IZT (Germany), University of Cambridge (UK), Factualconsulting (Spain), Barcelona Regional Agencia (Spain), City of Tilburg(Netherlands), Nextbike (Germany), City of Ancona (Italy), MyCicero (Italy),Conerobus (Italy), Vlaams Gewest (Belgium)
Binnen het Expertisecentrum voor Innovatieve zorg en Technologie (EIZT) werken vijf lectoraten van Zuyd faculteit Gezondheidzorg samen met diverse partners aan innovaties om Limburgse burgers te ondersteunen bij participatie en vitaliteit, o.a. in ‘living labs’. In deze living labs zijn studenten en docenten van diverse faculteiten, professionals en cliënten actief. De ontwikkeling en uitbreiding van living labs, waarin de belangen van zowel praktijk, onderzoek als (interprofessioneel) onderwijs goed op elkaar afgestemd worden, behoeft komende jaren aandacht. Het postdoconderzoek van Renée van den Heuvel kent de volgorde vraagstelling; Hoe ziet een goed werkend EIZT living lab over participatie en vitaliteit van kinderen eruit en welke kritische factoren dragen bij aan het succes? Twee lijnen staan centraal; 1) Het ontwikkelen van een “EIZT Living Lab Kinderen” . Binnen de projecten van de lectoraten van de faculteit Gezondheidszorg zijn samenwerkingspartners en expertise rondom de thematiek kinderen volop aanwezig. Echter, bestaat er nog geen living lab voor duurzame samenwerking rondom kinderen met partners in de regio, dat tevens richting geeft aan interprofessioneel onderwijs. Een dergelijk living lab zou bijdragen aan duurzame samenwerking met de praktijk en tussen de verschillende faculteiten van Zuyd. 2) Onderzoek doen naar factoren die een living lab succesvol maken. Ontwikkeling en evaluatie van een dergelijk living lab met alle stakeholders vanaf de start betrokken, alsmede onderzoek naar de kritische factoren van living labs, zou ook voor de andere EIZT living labs van grote toegevoegde waarde zijn. Om zowel onderwijs, praktijk als onderzoek intensief, direct en in alle fases te betrekken volgt het project een user-centred design proces. De fases analyse, design, uitvoering, evaluatie en implementatie volgen elkaar op om de centrale onderzoeksvraag van dit project te beantwoorden.
