scholarly journals Perceived Usefulness, Satisfaction, Ease of Use and Potential of a Virtual Companion to Support the Care Provision for Older Adults

Technologies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Ana Luísa Jegundo ◽  
Carina Dantas ◽  
João Quintas ◽  
João Dutra ◽  
Ana Leonor Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Formal Care ◽  
Care Provision ◽  
Care Providers

This article reports a study aiming to determine the perceptions of older adults needing formal care about the usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use of CaMeLi, a virtual companion based on an embodied conversational agent, and the perceptions of formal caregivers about the potential of virtual companions to support care provision. An observational study involving older adults needing formal care was conducted to assess CaMeLi using a multi-method approach (i.e., an auto-reported questionnaire—the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use questionnaire; a scale for the usability assessment based on the opinion of observers—the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health-based Usability Scale; and critical incident registration). Moreover, a focus group was conducted to collect data regarding the perceived utility of virtual companions to support care provision. The observational study was conducted with 46 participants with an average age of 63.6 years, and the results were associated with a high level of usefulness, satisfaction, and ease of use of CaMeLi. Furthermore, the focus group composed of four care providers considered virtual companions a promising solution to support care provision and to prevent loneliness and social isolation. The results of both the observational study and the focus group revealed good perceptions regarding the role of virtual companions to support the care provision for older adults.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Sustained Engagement with ECG Self-Monitoring: Perspectives from Patients and Health Care Providers

2018 ◽  
Vol 09 (04) ◽  
pp. 772-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Reading ◽  
Dawon Baik ◽  
Melissa Beauchemin ◽  
Kathleen Hickey ◽  
Jacqueline Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Utaut Model ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mhealth Technology

Background Patient-generated health data (PGHD) collected digitally with mobile health (mHealth) technology has garnered recent excitement for its potential to improve precision management of chronic conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia. However, sustained engagement is a major barrier to collection of PGHD. Little is known about barriers to sustained engagement or strategies to intervene upon engagement through application design. Objective This article investigates individual patient differences in sustained engagement among individuals with a history of AF who are self-monitoring using mHealth technology. Methods This qualitative study involved patients, health care providers, and research coordinators previously involved in a randomized, controlled trial involving electrocardiogram (ECG) self-monitoring of AF. Patients were adults with a history of AF randomized to the intervention arm of this trial who self-monitored using ECG mHealth technology for 6 months. Semistructured interviews and focus groups were conducted separately with health care providers and research coordinators, engaged patients, and unengaged patients. A validated model of sustained engagement, an adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), guided data collection, and analysis through directed content analysis. Results We interviewed 13 patients (7 engaged, 6 unengaged), 6 providers, and 2 research coordinators. In addition to finding differences between engaged and unengaged patients within each predictor in the adapted UTAUT model (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, facilitating conditions), four additional factors were identified as being related to sustained engagement in this population. These are: (1) internal motivation to manage health, (2) relationship with health care provider, (3) supportive environments, and (4) feedback and guidance. Conclusion Although it required some modification, the adapted UTAUT model was useful in understanding of the parameters of sustained engagement. The findings of this study provide initial requirement specifications for the design of applications that engage patients in this unique population of adults with AF.

scholarly journals “You get three different hats on and try to figure it out:” home based care provision during a disaster

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Anne Bell ◽  
Sarah Dickey ◽  
Marie-Anne Rosemberg
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Care Provision ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Home Health Agencies ◽  
Home Based Care

Abstract Background Home based care is a vital, and growing, part of the health care system that allows individuals to remain in their homes while still receiving health care. During a disaster, when normal health care systems are disrupted, home based care remains a vital source of support for older adults. The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively understand the barriers and facilitators of both patients and providers that influence the provision of home based care activities in two hurricane affected communities. Methods Using qualitative inquiry informed by the social ecological model, five focus groups were conducted with home based care providers (n = 25) in two settings affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey. An open-source database of home health agencies participating in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services programs was used to identify participants. Data were manually coded and larger themes were generated from recurring ideas and concepts using an abductive analysis approach. Results Twenty five participants were included in one of five focus groups. Of the 22 who responded to the demographic survey, 65 % were registered nurses, 20 % were Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), and 15 % were other types of health care providers. 12 % of the sample was male and 88 % was female. Five themes were identified in the analysis: barriers to implementing preparedness plans, adaptability of home based care providers, disasters exacerbate inequalities, perceived unreliability of government and corporations, and the balance between caring for self and family and caring for patients. Conclusions This study provides qualitative evidence on the factors that influence home based care provision in disaster-affected communities, including the barriers and facilitators faced by both patients and providers in preparing for, responding to and recovering from a disaster. While home based care providers faced multiple challenges to providing care during and after a disaster, the importance of community supports and holistic models of care in the immediate period after the disaster were emphasized. We recommend greater inclusion of home health agencies in the community planning process. This study informs the growing body of evidence on the value of home based care in promoting safety and well-being for older adults during a disaster.

scholarly journals Explaining the Use of Social Network Sites as Seen by Older Adults: The Enjoyment Component of a Hedonic Information System

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricio Ramírez-Correa ◽  
Elizabeth E. Grandón ◽  
Muriel Ramírez-Santana ◽  
Leonard Belmar Órdenes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Enjoyment

Previous studies suggest that older adults are living increasingly alone and without the company of their close relatives, which cause them depression problems and a detriment to their health and general wellbeing. The use of social network sites (SNS) allows them to reduce their isolation, improve their social participation, and increase their autonomy. Although the adoption of various information technologies by older adults has been studied, some assumptions still predominate, for example, that older adults use SNS only for utilitarian purposes. However, considering SNS as hedonic information systems, and in order to extend the theoretical explanation of the intention to use hedonic systems to their actual use, this study aims to determine the influence of perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use on the use of SNS by elders in Concepción, Chile. Two hundred fifty-three older adults participated in the cross-sectional study. The results indicate that perceived ease of use is the variable that has the greatest total effect in explaining the use of SNS and that by adding the perceived enjoyment construct, the explanatory power of the model increases significantly. Therefore, advancement in user acceptance models, especially in the use of SNS by elders, can be made by focusing on the type of system, hedonic or utilitarian.

Beyond ADA Accessibility Requirements: Meeting Seniors’ Needs for Toilet Transfers

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Jin Lee ◽  
Jon Sanford ◽  
Margaret Calkins ◽  
Sarah Melgen ◽  
Sarah Endicott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Americans With Disabilities Act ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Nursing Facilities ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Skilled Nursing ◽  
Matched Samples

Purpose: To identify the optimal spatial and dimensional requirements of grab bars that support independent and assisted transfers by older adults and their care providers. Background: Although research has demonstrated that toilet grab bars based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Standards do not meet the needs of older adults, the specific dimensional requirements for alternative configurations are unknown. Methods: A two-phased study with older adults and care providers in residential facilities was conducted to determine the optimal requirements for grab bars. Seniors and caregivers in skilled nursing facilities performed transfers using a mock-up toilet. In Phase 1, participants evaluated three grab bar configurations to identify optimal characteristics for safety, ease of use, comfort, and helpfulness. These characteristics were then validated for using ability-matched samples in Phase 2. Results: The optimal configuration derived in Phase 1 included fold-down grab bars on both sides of the toilet (14" from centerline [CL] of toilet, 32" above the floor, and extended a minimum of 6" in front of the toilet) with one side open and a sidewall 24" from CL of toilet on the other. Phase 2 feedback was significantly positive for independent and one-person transfers and somewhat lower, albeit still positive, for two-person transfers. Conclusion: The study provides substantial evidence that bilateral grab bars are significantly more effective than those that comply with current ADA Accessibility Standards. Findings provide specific spatial and dimensional attributes for grab bar configurations that would be most effective in senior facilities.

scholarly journals A Personalized Health Monitoring System for Community-Dwelling Elderly People in Hong Kong: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailiang Wang ◽  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Lisha Yu ◽  
Jiaxing Liu ◽  
Inez Maria Zwetsloot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Health Monitoring System ◽  
System P ◽  
Exploratory Data ◽  
Health Deterioration

BACKGROUND Telehealth is an effective means to assist existing health care systems, particularly for the current aging society. However, most extant telehealth systems employ individual data sources by offline data processing, which may not recognize health deterioration in a timely way. OBJECTIVE Our study objective was two-fold: to design and implement an integrated, personalized telehealth system on a community-based level; and to evaluate the system from the perspective of user acceptance. METHODS The system was designed to capture and record older adults’ health-related information (eg, daily activities, continuous vital signs, and gait behaviors) through multiple measuring tools. State-of-the-art data mining techniques can be integrated to detect statistically significant changes in daily records, based on which a decision support system could emit warnings to older adults, their family members, and their caregivers for appropriate interventions to prevent further health deterioration. A total of 45 older adults recruited from 3 elderly care centers in Hong Kong were instructed to use the system for 3 months. Exploratory data analysis was conducted to summarize the collected datasets. For system evaluation, we used a customized acceptance questionnaire to examine users’ attitudes, self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention on the system. RESULTS A total of 179 follow-up sessions were conducted in the 3 elderly care centers. The results of exploratory data analysis showed some significant differences in the participants’ daily records and vital signs (eg, steps, body temperature, and systolic blood pressure) among the 3 centers. The participants perceived that using the system is a good idea (ie, attitude: mean 5.67, SD 1.06), comfortable (ie, self-efficacy: mean 4.92, SD 1.11), useful to improve their health (ie, perceived usefulness: mean 4.99, SD 0.91), and easy to use (ie, perceived ease of use: mean 4.99, SD 1.00). In general, the participants showed a positive intention to use the first version of our personalized telehealth system in their future health management (ie, behavioral intention: mean 4.45, SD 1.78). CONCLUSIONS The proposed health monitoring system provides an example design for monitoring older adults’ health status based on multiple data sources, which can help develop reliable and accurate predictive analytics. The results can serve as a guideline for researchers and stakeholders (eg, policymakers, elderly care centers, and health care providers) who provide care for older adults through such a telehealth system.

Factors Influencing Intention to Technological Use in Older Adults. The TAM Model Aplication

2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752110637
Author(s):  
Antonio V. Martín-García ◽  
Rosa Redolat ◽  
Sacramento Pinazo-Hernandis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Functional Adaptation ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Tam Model ◽  
Main Determinants

The use of digital technology by older adults has improved in recent years in response to the need for their functional adaptation to an increasingly technological social context. Understanding this type of technological adaptation has recently become an important field of inquiry in both social and gerontological studies. Working within this framework, the aim of this study is to identify the main determinants that influence the intention of older people to use digital technology in their daily lives, using the Technological Acceptance Model. A study was carried out with the participation of 1155 people over 65 years of age in Spain. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and structural equation models (SEM) were performed. The results show that the TAM is a useful model to explain the intention of older adults to use Digital Technology, showing a high predictive power, highlighting Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use as the main predictor variables.

Users' attitude and intention to use mobile financial services in Bangladesh: an empirical study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Tanvir Alam Himel ◽  
Shahrin Ashraf ◽  
Tauhid Ahmed Bappy ◽  
Md Tanaz Abir ◽  
Md Khaled Morshed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Focus Group Discussion ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Mobile Financial Services

PurposeWhile the usage of mobile financial services (MFSs) is increasing rapidly in developing countries, research on users' attitudes and behavioral intention to adopt MFS is limited. Thus, this study aims to investigate customers' attitudes and intentions to adopt MFS from a Bangladeshi perspective.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research design was employed to conduct this study. Data of 196 respondents were analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. For the quantitative part, data collection was conducted using non-probability sampling through a structured survey questionnaire. A focus group discussion with ten MFS users from divergent backgrounds was conducted to validate the quantitative findings.FindingsThis paper integrated both the technology acceptance model (TAM) and innovation resistance theory (IRT) to validate the results. The authors found that perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived trust (PT) positively contribute to customers' attitudes toward MFS adoption. Besides, barriers to acceptance had unfavorable effects on users' attitudes and usage intentions. Furthermore, a focus group discussion revealed valuable insights on the constructs used in this study.Practical implicationsThe study results have implications for both MFS providers and researchers. The outputs and recommendations presented in this paper will encourage the MFS practitioners to stimulate users' attitudes and behavioral intentions by ensuring useful, easy to use, credible and risk-free mobile payment platforms.Originality/valueThis is one of the very few studies in Bangladesh that have taken a contemporary and emerging research topic, providing theoretical, methodological and practical contributions regarding the determinants and consequences of attitude toward using MFSs.

scholarly journals Clinicians and Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Utility of Patient-Generated Health Data in Caring for Older Adults: Exploratory Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/29788 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. e29788
Author(s):  
Ben Kim ◽  
Peyman Ghasemi ◽  
Paul Stolee ◽  
Joon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Group Interviews

Background Many people are motivated to self-track their health and optimize their well-being through mobile health apps and wearable devices. The diversity and complexity of these systems have evolved over time, resulting in a large amount of data referred to as patient-generated health data (PGHD), which has recently emerged as a useful set of data elements in health care systems around the world. Despite the increased interest in PGHD, clinicians and older adults’ perceptions of PGHD are poorly understood. In particular, although some clinician barriers to using PGHD have been identified, such as concerns about data quality, ease of use, reliability, privacy, and regulatory issues, little is known from the perspectives of older adults. Objective This study aims to explore the similarities and differences in the perceptions of older adults and clinicians with regard to how various types of PGHD can be used to care for older adults. Methods A mixed methods study was conducted to explore clinicians and older adults’ perceptions of PGHD. Focus groups were conducted with older adults and health care providers from the Greater Toronto area and the Kitchener-Waterloo region. The participants were asked to discuss their perceptions of PGHD, including facilitators and barriers. A questionnaire aimed at exploring the perceived usefulness of a range of different PGHD was also embedded in the study design. Focus group interviews were transcribed for thematic analysis, whereas the questionnaire results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the 9 participants, 4 (44%) were clinicians (average age 38.3 years, SD 7 years), and 5 (56%) were older adults (average age 81.0 years, SD 9.1 years). Four main themes were identified from the focus group interviews: influence of PGHD on patient-provider trust, reliability of PGHD, meaningful use of PGHD and PGHD-based decision support systems, and perceived clinical benefits and intrusiveness of PGHD. The questionnaire results were significantly correlated with the frequency of PGHD mentioned in the focus group interviews (r=0.42; P=.03) and demonstrated that older adults and clinicians perceived blood glucose, step count, physical activity, sleep, blood pressure, and stress level as the most useful data for managing health and delivering high-quality care. Conclusions This embedded mixed methods study generated several important findings about older adults and clinicians’ perceptions and perceived usefulness of a range of PGHD. Owing to the exploratory nature of this study, further research is needed to understand the concerns about data privacy, potential negative impact on the trust between older adults and clinicians, data quality and quantity, and usability of PGHD-related technologies for older adults.

scholarly journals Application of In-Home Monitoring Data to Transition Decisions in CCRC's: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Wild ◽  
Nicole Sharma ◽  
Nora Mattek ◽  
Jason Karlawish ◽  
Thomas Riley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Home Monitoring ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Intent To Use

BACKGROUND Continuous in-home monitoring of older adults can provide rich and sensitive data capturing subtle behavioral and cognitive changes. Our previous work has identified multiple metrics that describe meaningful trends in daily activities over time. The continuous, multi-domain nature of this technology may also serve to inform caregivers of the need for increased attention in order to maintain the health and safety of at-risk older adults. Accordingly, care decisions can be based on objective, systematically assessed real-time data. OBJECTIVE The present study deployed a suite of in-home monitoring technologies to detect changing levels of care needs in residents of independent living units in seven retirement communities. METHODS Continuous activity data were presented to staff involved in decisions regarding transitions in care. Comparisons were planned between outcomes for residents whose data were shared and those whose data were not made available to staff. Staff use of the data dashboard was also monitored over the course of the study. RESULTS Despite initial enthusiasm and an iterative process of refinement of measures and modes of data presentation based on staff input, actual inspection and therefore use of resident data was well below expectation. Survey data and in-depth interviews offered insight to the mismatch between intended and actual use. CONCLUSIONS Most continuous in-home monitoring technology acceptance models focus on perceived usefulness and ease of use, and equate intent to use technology with actual use. Our experience suggests otherwise. We found multiple intervening variables exist between perceived usefulness, intent to use and actual use. Ethical, institutional, and social factors are considered in their role as determinants of use.

scholarly journals Acceptability Among Community Healthcare Nurses of Intelligent Wireless Sensor-system Technology for the Rapid Detection of Health Issues in Home-dwelling Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Cohen ◽  
Thomas Kampel ◽  
Henk Verloo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Home Healthcare ◽  
Sensor System ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Community Healthcare

Background: The effective care and support of community healthcare nurses (CHNs) contribute greatly to the healthy aging of older adults living at home. Integrating innovative technologies into CHNs’ daily practice offers new opportunities and perspectives for early detection of health issues and interventions among home-dwelling older adults. Aim: To explore the perception of acceptability among CHNs of an intelligent wireless sensor system (IWSS) for use in daily practice for the detection of health issues in home-dwelling older adults receiving home healthcare. Method: Descriptive and qualitative data were sourced from a pilot randomized controlled trial involving 17 CHNs using an IWSS in their daily practice to rapidly detect falls and other health issues in patients’ homes. IWSS alerts indicating behavior changes were sent to CHNs. Their perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) were assessed. The acceptability of IWSS technology was explored using a questionnaire and focus group discussions. Results: The PU and PEOU of the IWSS technology were low to moderate. A majority of the CHNs were dissatisfied with its performance and intrusiveness; they reported multiple obstacles in the usefulness and ease of use of the IWSS technology in daily practice. Conclusion: To improve the IWSS technology’s low to moderate acceptability among CHNs, we recommend a more user-centered implementation strategy and an embedded model of nursing care.

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