Biomedical subjects

Henrik Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to Henrik Eriksson.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Peer-to-peer computing in health-promoting voluntary organizations: a system design analysis.

A large part of the health promotion in today's society is performed as peer-to-peer empowerment in voluntary organisations such as sports clubs, charities, and trade unions. In order to prevent work-related illness and long-term sickness absence, the aim of this study is to explore computer network services for empowerment of employees by peer-to-peer communication. The 'technique trade-off method was used for the analysis of the system design. A Critical Incident Technique questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of trade union shop stewards (n = 386), and focus-group seminars were arranged where a preliminary set of requirements was discussed. Seven basic requirements were identified and matched to a set of 12 design issues for computer network services, allocating a subset of design issues to each requirement. The conclusion is that the systems design displays an inexpensive and potentially feasible method for peer-to-peer computing in voluntary health-promoting organisations.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed2005

Distributed user interfaces for clinical ubiquitous computing applications.

OBJECTIVES: Ubiquitous computing with multiple interaction devices requires new interface models that support user-specific modifications to applications and facilitate the fast development of active workspaces. METHODS: We have developed NOSTOS, a computer-augmented work environment for clinical personnel to explore new user interface paradigms for ubiquitous computing. NOSTOS uses several devices such as digital pens, an active desk, and walk-up displays that allow the system to track documents and activities in the workplace. RESULTS: We present the distributed user interface (DUI) model that allows standalone applications to distribute their user interface components to several devices dynamically at run-time. This mechanism permit clinicians to develop their own user interfaces and forms to clinical information systems to match their specific needs. We discuss the underlying technical concepts of DUIs and show how service discovery, component distribution, events and layout management are dealt with in the NOSTOS system. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DUIs--and similar network-based user interfaces--will be a prerequisite of future mobile user interfaces and essential to develop clinical multi-device environments.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PubMed2005

Encountering touch: a path to affinity in psychiatric care.

The idea of physical contact and touching in psychiatric care has, in many instances, been considered inappropriate. Psychiatry is often perceived as a verbal process and it has been generally believed that touching can provoke both aggressiveness and destructive manifestations of sexuality. However, recent research has suggested that touching can play an important role in psychiatric treatment once a caring relationship has been established. The aim of this study is to investigate the meaning of physical contact for patients who have been treated for psychosis. Through four in-depth interviews and a life-world analysis the results show that touching means to be in need, to yearn, and to belong. Furthermore, touching also communicates feelings between bodies and, as such, it can be a path through which one feels acknowledged as a human being. The results indicate that a feeling of affinity can originate through physical contact, which can be regarded as a driving force in the search to feel a sense of belonging to the community.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Use of cultural probes for representation of chronic disease experience: exploration of an innovative method for design of supportive technologies.

Chronic diseases do not only manifest themselves as sets of pathophysiological factors. They bring about an equally important psychosocial impact. Unfortunately, it is difficult to account for this impact in the development of supportive technologies. This study describes and explores a method for elicitation of requirements on technologies supporting self-management including emotional aspects. The method takes advantage of a self-documentary media kit for collection of data from the everyday context of chronic disease. The resulting contextual data can contribute new insights to multi-disciplinary teams in the design of supporting technologies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Semantic clinical guideline documents.

Decision-support systems based on clinical practice guidelines can support physicians and other healthcare personnel in the process of following best practice consistently. A knowledge-based approach to represent guidelines makes it possible to encode computer-interpretable guidelines in a formal manner,perform consistency checks, and use the guidelines directly in decision-support systems.Decision-support authors and guideline users require guidelines in human-readable formats in addition to computer-interpretable ones (e.g., for guideline review and quality assurance). We propose a new document-oriented information architecture that combines knowledge-representation models with electronic and paper documents. The approach integrates decision-support modes with standard document formats to create a combined clinical-guideline model that supports on-line viewing, printing, and decision support.

Decision Making, Computer-Assisted↗

PubMed2005

Towards a simulation environment for modeling of local influenza outbreaks.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the design of a simulation environment for dynamic prediction of influenza transmission in local communities. METHODS: The technique trade-off method was used to identify and analyze basic design requirements on a simulation environment for modeling of influenza transmission. Data were collected through literature review and interviews with infectious disease experts. The identified requirements were matched to a set of design issues for the simulation environment,and a high-resolution prototype was implemented. RESULTS: Basic reproductive numbers for influenza transmission in a set of Swedish municipalities were calculated. Tradeoffs were necessary in the design between a focus on reproductive numbers vs. case fatality proportions, algorithm validity vs. model adaptability, and specificity in population description vs. generalizability. CONCLUSION: Computer-based simulations can become important tools for local authorities preparing for influenza outbreaks. Balanced tradeoffs between model detail and public health effectiveness are important in simulation environment design.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Towards integration of computer games in interactive health education environments: understanding gameplay challenge, narrative and spectacle.

CONTEXT: There is an alarming progress in the health status of the young in western countries, and new methods and tools for behavioural health interventions are urgently called for. OBJECTIVE: To explore how computer game designs can be integrated in the development of Interactive Health Education Environments. DESIGN: Qualitative analyses of adolescents' experiences of playing an action-adventure computer game, using data from in-depth interviews. RESULTS: A model is presented, where the gameplaying experience is connected to four components of computer games. Playing computer games was found to mainly be motivated by the challenges and competition represented in the gameplay scripts. CONCLUSIONS: Interactive health education environments can be improved by implementing challenging gameplay scripts, spectacular technical features and narratives.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

A management information system model for process-oriented health care.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a conceptual model of a management information system for process-oriented health care organizations. METHODS: Qualitative data was collected from two case studies in process-oriented health care settings. The first study addressed the information requirements of health care managers and the second study focused on organizational activities and clinical practice. From these data, preliminary models were iteratively developed, interpreted, and further revised. SETTING: A county hospital in southern Sweden with 30 clinics and 3,200 employees. RESULTS: A conceptual model of a management information system for process-oriented health care organizations was developed in two parts: one part that describes the organizational interface of the model and the other part that describes the architecture of the model. CONCLUSION: A conceptual model has been developed for local-level integration of management information systems and organizational procedures in process-oriented health care organizations

Delivery of Health Care↗

PubMed2004

Design requirements for ubiquitous computing environments for healthcare professionals.

Ubiquitous computing environments can support clinical administrative routines in new ways. The aim of such computing approaches is to enhance routine physical work, thus it is important to identify specific design requirements. We studied healthcare professionals in an emergency room and developed the computer-augmented environment NOSTOS to support teamwork in that setting. NOSTOS uses digital pens and paper-based media as the primary input interface for data capture and as a means of controlling the system. NOSTOS also includes a digital desk, walk-up displays, and sensor technology that allow the system to track documents and activities in the workplace. We propose a set of requirements and discuss the value of tangible user interfaces for healthcare personnel. Our results suggest that the key requirements are flexibility in terms of system usage and seamless integration between digital and physical components. We also discuss how ubiquitous computing approaches like NOSTOS can be beneficial in the medical workplace.

Computer Graphics↗

PubMed2003

NOSTOS: a paper-based ubiquitous computing healthcare environment to support data capture and collaboration.

In this paper, we present a new approach to clinical workplace computerization that departs from the window-based user interface paradigm. NOSTOS is an experimental computer-augmented work environment designed to support data capture and teamwork in an emergency room. NOSTOS combines multiple technologies, such as digital pens, walk-up displays, headsets, a smart desk, and sensors to enhance an existing paper-based practice with computer power. The physical interfaces allow clinicians to retain mobile paper-based collaborative routines and still benefit from computer technology. The requirements for the system were elicited from situated workplace studies. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of augmenting a paper-based clinical work environment.

Computer Peripherals↗

PubMed2002

The potential of smart homes for injury prevention among the elderly.

Smart homes promise to make the lives of elderly people more comfortable and safe. Today, there is a significant interest from industry and policy makers in developing these technologies. In theory, the emerging technologies make it possible to provide a new range of services. So far, however, the goal has often been to develop new services for young people rather than assisting old people to improve their quality of life. Especially important is the potential for using these technologies to promote safety and prevent injury among old people because this group is at home more than the other age groups. Networked devices can collect data from sensors and aid decision-making on intervention and other measures. Furthermore, these devices can instruct and remind individuals about safety-related issues.

Accident Prevention↗