Does user centred design work in homecare for elderly? : a retrospective on the OLD@HOME case

• Introduction: Mobile information and communication technology (ICT) has been suggested to improve collaboration in integrated homecare, yet, few successful implementations are available. User centred design (UCD) can improve the usefulness of ICT, however, it is often claimed to be expensive and difficult to use in healthcare. In the action research project OLD@HOME (Sweden 2002–2005) a user centred approach was adapted to the specific context of integrated homecare for elderly.Aim: To revisit OLD@HOME and explore what methodological adjustments were needed to adapt UCD to integrated homecare of elderly, and what the long-term effects of using UCD were.Results: Our collaborative design method included all stakeholders and enabled development of both new work situations and new tools. Five years after implementation, the system is still used by home help service personnel, for both homecare- and office-based work, as it provides ubiquitous access to information and communication. Technical support is rarely needed; experienced users handle occurring problems, training and introduction of new users.Conclusions: We consider the development method a key factor for the OLD@HOME system’s success as it enabled the design of a homecare system that is not only easy to use, but adapted to the context of integrated homecare for elderly

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Datavetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Computer Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

elderly

homecare

mobile information and communication technology

Informatik

Informatics

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