| 1. |
- Abdelmassih Waller, Peter, et al.
(author)
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The Extended Television : Using tangible computing to meet the needs of older persons at a nursing home
- 2008
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In: Gerontechnology. - : International Society for Gerontechnology (ISG). - 1569-1101 .- 1569-111X. ; 7:1, s. 36-47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents a person-centred model and a tangible computing approach to better adapt television media to meet two important needs of older people: social inclusion in their immediate surroundings and better support for one’s own reflections. Method The research project was carried out as a part of the construction, planning and implementation of a new nursing home. The implemented infrastructure enabled television watching at three levels: the regular (broadcast programmes), the internal and the personal. The internal level consisted of an in-house broadcast television channel and two media centres placed in common areas. The personal level had individualised functions. The entire concept is referred to as ‘extended television’. This paper describes the early implementation phase of the internal television channel and the personal television photo album. It also examines the consequences of a person-centred model and a tangible computing approach. Participation in the use of the ‘extended television’ together with older people, relatives and care workers, semistructured dialogues with these people, and observations of the television usage were conducted. Furthermore, the care workers were invited to comment on the prototypes very early in the process. Results Both the internal channel and the personal television photo album were used by older residents and iteratively adapted. However, too many factors and routines varied to get statistically sound results. On the other hand, the research shows that the person-centred study design utilised provided positive results in a setting with constantly changing conditions. Discussion This design encourages further investigations regarding how new conceptual television design can enrich the everyday lives of older people. The results also indicate the plausibility of television photo albums providing new opportunities for reminiscence compared to traditional ones, and that the internal channel resulted in possibilities for social inclusion in the nursing home examined.
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| 2. |
- af Sandeberg, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Psychometric properties of the DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module (DCGM-37) when used in children undergoing treatment for cancer
- 2010
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In: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1477-7525. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The aim was to evaluate data quality and psychometric properties of an instrument for measurement of health-related quality of life: DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module (DCGM-37) used in school-aged children with cancer. Methods: All school-children diagnosed with cancer in Sweden during a two-and-a-half year period were invited to participate in the study. Analysis was performed on combined data from two assessments, two and-a-half and five months after start of cancer treatment (n = 170). The instrument was examined with respect to feasibility, data quality, reliability and construct and criterion-based validity. Results: Missing items per dimension ranged from 0 to 5.3 percent, with a majority below three percent. Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all dimensions. There was support for the suggested groupings of items into dimensions for all but six of the 36 items of the DCGM-37 included in this study. The instrument discriminated satisfactorily between diagnoses reflecting treatment burden. Conclusions: The results indicate satisfactory data quality and reliability of the DCGM-37 when used in children undergoing treatment for cancer. Evaluation of construct validity showed generally acceptable results, although not entirely supporting the suggested dimensionality. Continued psychometric evaluation in a larger sample of children during and after treatment for cancer is recommended.
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| 3. |
- Asaba, Eric, et al.
(author)
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Challenging conceptualisations of work : Revisiting contemporary experiences of return to work and unemployment
- 2021
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In: Journal of Occupational Science. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1442-7591 .- 2158-1576. ; 28:1, s. 81-94
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article draws on empirically derived illustrations of return to work and unemployment to critically explore how a narrow understanding of work pervades contemporary social policies and programmes. This is particularly relevant in economic and labour market transitions aligned with neoliberalism that individualise the social problem of unemployment and thus restrict occupational possibilities related to work. An overview of how work and related concepts have been conceptualised in occupational science scholarship is presented. After describing the theoretical orientation of the paper, three illustrations derived from a secondary analysis of data from projects conducted in Sweden and the United States are presented. The three empirically grounded illustrations are integrated with theory to highlight tensions between the politically informed structures that shape social policies and programmes and the individual experiences of work, unemployment, and return to work that users and providers of these programmes communicate. By asserting that success in work-related placement programmes is not synonymous with meaningful employment, we attempt to heighten awareness of the potential risks associated with a reliance on measuring work by merely being in paid formal employment.
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| 4. |
- Bennet, Louise, et al.
(author)
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Clinical appearance of erythema migrans caused by Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii : effect of the patient´s sex
- 2006
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In: Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift. - : SPRINGER WIEN. - 0043-5325 .- 1613-7671. ; 118:17-18, s. 531-537
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: The aim in this survey was to study the clinical characteristics of infections caused by Borrelia genospecies in patients with erythema migrans where Borrelial origin was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. The aim was also to study factors influencing the clinical appearance of erythema migrans. Methods: The study was conducted in southern Sweden from May 2001 to December 2003 on patients 18 years and older attending with erythema migrans at outpatient clinics. All erythema migrans were verified by polymerase chain reaction, photographed and categorized into “annular” or “non-annular” lesions. A logistic regression model was used to analyze relations between the appearance of the erythema migrans (i.e., annular or non-annular) and factors that influenced its clinical appearances. Results: A total of 118 patients, 54 women (45.8%) and 64 men (54.2%), fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 74% were infected by B. afzelii, 26% by B. garinii ( p < 0.001). A total of 45% (38/85) of the erythema migrans were annular, 46% (39/85) were non-annular and 9.4% (8/85) were atypical. For men infected by B. afzelii the odds ratio of developing non-annular erythema migrans was 0.09 (95% CI: 0.03 - 0.33) in comparison with women with the same infection. Conclusions: In this prospective study of a large series of erythema migrans, where infecting genospecies were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, the sex of patients infected with B. afzelii had a strong influence on the appearance of the rash. Patients infected by B. garinii more often had non-annular erythema migrans and a more virulent infection with more individuals presenting with fever, raised levels of C-reactive protein and seroreactivity in the convalescence sera.
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| 5. |
- Bennet, Louise, et al.
(author)
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Effect of Gender on Clinical and Epidemiologic Features of Lyme Borreliosis
- 2007
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In: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. - : Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. - 1530-3667 .- 1557-7759. ; 7:1, s. 34-41
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim is to highlight the influence of patients’ gender on Lyme borreliosis and especially erythema migrans (EM), focusing on exposure to tick bites, epidemiology, and the clinical picture. All studies were conducted in the county of Blekinge, located in southeastern Sweden. A prospective study was conducted in 235 individuals (women, n=110; men, n=125) engaged in recreational or occupational activities focusing on exposure to tick bites. A retrospective epidemiological study evaluating 123,495 electronic patients´ records (women, n=61,712; men, n=61,783) and a prospective clinical study including 118 patients (women, n=54; men, n=64) 18 years or older seeking care for EM > 5 cm in diameter with genospecies verified by polymerase chain reaction were conducted. Results: Women 40 years or older had a 48% higher risk than men 40 years or older and 42% higher risk than women younger than 40 years of attracting tick bites (0.0188 versus 0.0127 and 0.0188 versus 0.0132 tick bites respectively per hour). Additionally they had a 96% higher risk than men younger than 40 years of attracting tick bites (0.0188 versus 0.0096). The annual incidence rate of EM in women was 506 and in men 423 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (p<0.001). Significant differences in incidence rates occurred in those 40 years or older. Odds ratios for males infected with Borrelia afzelii developing nonannular EM were 0.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03 to 0.33) in comparison with females infected by Borrelia afzelii. Conclusions: Significant gender differences in the risk of contracting tick bites, incidence rates, and clinical picture of EM have been observed. Exposure to tick bites alone may not explain these observations and further studies need to be done to clarify the biologic, immunologic, and sociological mechanisms causing these differences.
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| 6. |
- Berglund, Johan, et al.
(author)
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5-y follow-up study of patients with neuroborreliosis
- 2002
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 34:6, s. 421-425
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this follow-up study was to determine the long-term outcome of strictly classified cases of neuroborreliosis treated with antibiotics. A one-year prospective population-based survey of Lyme borreliosis was conducted in southern Sweden, between 1992 and 1993. A total of 349 identified cases with suspected neuroborreliosis were followed up 5 years later. Medical records were reviewed and all participants filled in a questionnaire. Of those classified with definite neuroborreliosis 114/130 completed the follow-up, of whom 111 had completed the initial antibiotic treatment. Of the 114 patients followed up, 86 (75%) had recovered completely and 70 (61%) had recovered within 6 months. Residual neurological symptoms such as facial palsy, concentration disorder, paresthesia and/or neuropathy were reported by 28/114. No significant differences between different antibiotic treatments were observed in terms of occurrence of sequelae. To conclude, we found that 25% (95% confidence interval 17-33%) of the patients suffered from residual neurological symptoms 5 years post-treatment. However, the clinical outcome of treated neuroborreliosis is favourable as only 14/114 (12%) of the patients had sequelae that influenced their daily activity post-treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment would seem to be of great importance in order to avoid such sequelae.
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| 7. |
- Britt, Östlund, et al.
(author)
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Vidgar IT gapet mellan generationer?
- 1999
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In: IT i demokratins tjänst. - Stockholm : SOU. - 0375-250X. - 9176107507 ; , s. 157-182
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 8. |
- Coradeschi, Silvia, et al.
(author)
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GiraffPlus : A System for Monitoring Activities and Physiological Parameters and Promoting Social Interaction for Elderly
- 2014
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In: Human-Computer Systems Interaction. - Cham : Springer. - 2194-5357. - 9783319084909 - 9783319084916 ; , s. 261-271
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This chapter presents a telehealth system called GiraffPlus supporting independent living of elderly in their own home. GiraffPlus system is a complex system which monitors activities and physiological parameters in the home using a network of sensors. The elaborated information is presented to the primary user, the elderly, and to secondary users like health care and home care providers and possibly to family members as a help to assess possible health and wellbeing deterioration, provide acute alarms, and support health procedure. The secondary users can also visit the elderly via the Giraff, a teleoperated robot that can communicate and move in the home under the control of the secondary user. The chapter focusses in particular on the deployment of the system in six real homes in Sweden, Italy and Spain. The chapter outlines the technological various components used, the expectations of the users and the evaluation method.
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| 9. |
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Dementia, Design and Technology : Time to get involved.
- 2009
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Editorial collection (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The interest for the design of life environments for persons with dementia is growing stronger among architects, engineers, social scientists and those responsible for housing and health care planning. This development is connected to the enlarged group of people that become afflicted by this disease and to the fact that a safe environment is proved to be very important for their well-being as well as for their relatives and carers. Dementia is a progressive syndrome and the risk increases by age. Since there is no cure for this disease what we can do is to improve their life situation. It is often called the disease of the relatives because it deeply effects relations and daily life. It is also a disease that the individual has to live with. Most often the meaning of daily routines and the use of common technical applications and services changes dramatically. Efforts are made to design housing for persons with dementia and systems to support their carers. Technologies and a variety of aids is expected to help in developing efficiency of these services, supporting family carers and providing solutions for independent living and improved quality of life of persons with dementia. So far, persons with dementia have not been involved in most of the design processes. Their voice has been used by their informal or formal carers or dementia experts. As a consequence most solutions available are focusing mainly on safety and needs of the carers while other needs and possibilities are mainly neglected. Published result confirms that the lack of user involvement did not facilitate the use of common applications, nor assistive technologies. The aim of this book is to increase the understanding of subjective needs of people with dementia and the way this understanding can promote and improve their involvement in design processes. We will present examples of design and design interventions where people with dementia are involved and what is required from technology when the user has an illness causing dementia. Because of the fact that approaches to involve people with dementia in design as active users of technology are still quite novel, we will also discuss ethical issues and challenging experiences gathered in our studies. The authors represent on-going design and research in Scandinavia and United Kingdom.
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| 10. |
- Essen, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Laggards as Innovators? : Old Users as Designers of New Services & Service Systems
- 2011
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In: International Journal of Design. - 1991-3761 .- 1994-036X. ; 5:3, s. 89-98
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Involving users in the design process is increasingly discussed as the quickest and most reliable way to capture the needs of users and consumers. In parallel, the fastest growing population segment in Asia and the West is older people. This article asks whether their involvement in the design process could accelerate a growing service market and if so, how? It addresses a knowledge gap that constrains service provision for a growing market of older people and which underestimates older people's potential contribution in the early phases of the development of new services. The current role of older users is limited to that of test persons later in the design process or as objects of randomized samples that explore consumers' reactions to existing products. The present case study provides an empirical example of how old users can be involved in the early stages of service design. In doing this, the article questions the concept of old users as laggards. It suggests great potential to include such users - been arounds - as sources of innovation in the earlier phases of the design process if they have the right tools and opportunities to act. In identifying unsatisfied needs and potential market solutions, the inclusion of old users in user-driven projects can contribute to the generation of business ideas.
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