Benefits, Barriers, and Needs for an AI-powered Medication Information Chatbot for Older Adults: A Qualitative Analysis (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghana Gudala ◽  
Sunitha Mogalla ◽  
Mandi Lyons ◽  
Padmavathy Ramaswamy ◽  
Mary Ellen Trail Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Medication Information ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Medication Side ◽  
The Many

BACKGROUND One of the most complicated medical needs of older adults is managing their complex medication regimens. However, the use of technology to aid older adults in this endeavor is impeded by the fact that their technological capabilities are lower than much of the rest of the population. What is needed to help manage medications, then, is a technology that seamlessly integrates within their comfort levels, including the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) agents. OBJECTIVE To assess the benefits, barriers, and information needs that can be provided by an AI-powered medication information chatbot for older adults. METHODS Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with geriatric experts. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Each interview was coded by two investigators using a semi-open coding method for qualitative analysis and reconciliation was performed with a third investigator. All codes are organized into Benefit/Non-Benefit , Barrier/Non-Barrier, and Need categories. Iterative re-coding and member checking was performed until convergence was reached for all interviews. RESULTS The greatest Benefits of a medication information chatbot would be to overcome vision and dexterity hurdles experienced by most older adults as it uses voice-based technology. Next, it also helps with increasing older adult’s medication knowledge, adherence and supports their overall health. The main Barriers were technology familiarity and cost, especially in lower socio-economic older adults as well as security and privacy concerns. It was noted, however, that technology familiarity was not an insurmountable Barrier for younger seniors (ages 65-75), who have mostly owned smartphones, whereas older seniors (75+) may have never been major users of technology in the first place. The most important Needs were to be usable, to help patients with reminders, and to provide information on medication side effects and usage instructions. CONCLUSIONS Our needs analysis derived from expert interviews clarifies that a voice-based chatbot could be very beneficial to improve adherence and overall health if it is built to serve the many medication information needs of older adults like reminders, instructions, etc. However, the chatbot would have to be usable and affordable for its widespread use.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Adaptations to the Call for Social Distancing and Use of Technology: Insights From Socioemotional Selectivity Theory and Lived Experiences

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199686
Author(s):  
Shoshana H. Bardach ◽  
Elizabeth K. Rhodus ◽  
Kelly Parsons ◽  
Allison K. Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Technology Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Comparison Approach

Social distancing guidelines during COVID can be isolating, especially for older adults, with potential for poor health outcomes. Technology offers opportunities for remote connection, yet, older adults’ use of and perspectives on technology during this time remain largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into older adults’ technology use and preferences to inform the development of a technology training intervention to support older adult well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 older adults. Interviews were analyzed using an iterative, constant comparison approach. Findings were consistent with Socioemotional Selectivity Theory; respondents were primarily interested in technology to support emotionally meaningful goals. Participants indicated limited interest in technology training, referencing diminished future time perspectives to explain disinterest. Findings suggest that efforts to encourage older adults’ expanded technology adoption should highlight how use supports emotionally meaningful goals and provide low-effort, timely training, tied to specific and clear applications.

scholarly journals Intergenerational Practice in the Community—What Does the Community Think?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 374
Author(s):  
Gail Kenning ◽  
Nicole Ee ◽  
Ying Xu ◽  
Billy L. Luu ◽  
Stephanie A. Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Intergenerational Programs ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
The Many

The many changes that occur in the lives of older people put them at an increased risk of being socially isolated and lonely. Intergenerational programs for older adults and young children can potentially address this shortfall, because of the perceived benefit from generations interacting. This study explores whether there is an appetite in the community for intergenerational programs for community dwelling older adults. An online survey was distributed via social media, research team networks, and snowballing recruitment with access provided via QR code or hyperlink. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with potential participants of a pilot intergenerational program planned for the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia in 2020. The interviews were thematically analyzed. Over 250 people completed the survey, and 21 interviews took place with older adults (10) and parents of young children (11). The data showed that participants were all in favor of intergenerational programs, but there were different perceptions about who benefits most and how. The study highlighted considerations to be addressed in the development of effective and sustainable intergenerational programs. For example, accessing people in the community who are most socially isolated and lonely was identified as a primary challenge. More evidence-based research is needed to support involvement of different cohorts, such as those who are frail, or living with physical or cognitive limitations.

Caregiver experiences during their child’s acute medical hospitalization for a mental health crisis

2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110012
Author(s):  
Cadence F Bowden ◽  
Diana Worsley ◽  
Amy R Pettit ◽  
Stephanie K Doupnik
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Self Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Medical Needs

Adolescents in the United States are increasingly seeking treatment for mental health crises in emergency departments and general medical hospitals. Medical needs are often addressed quickly, yet youth remain hospitalized because further psychiatric treatment is not immediately available. We sought to better understand the experiences of caregivers whose children are “boarding” in a medical hospital while awaiting inpatient psychiatric treatment. We conducted semi-structured interviews with caregivers who were recruited, enrolled, and interviewed during their child’s hospital stay. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was facilitated by NVivo 12. Fourteen caregivers enrolled in the study. Themes that emerged included positive hospital and provider experiences; frustration with the medical and mental health care systems; information needs; fears about inpatient psychiatric units; practical challenges and emotional needs; difficulties with caregiver–child communication; difficulties with clinician–caregiver communication; and need for self-care and support. While many caregivers felt positively about the overall experience at the hospital, they also wished for more information about their child’s treatment plan and future, as well as social support, emotional comfort for themselves, and self-care skills and resources. Their experiences illuminate ways in which clinical practice can ameliorate concerns and alleviate stress of caregivers related to their child’s mental health crisis.

scholarly journals Mindful Age and Technology: a Qualitative Analysis of a Tablet/Smartphone App Intervention Designed for Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Vailati Riboni ◽  
Isabel Sadowski ◽  
Benedetta Comazzi ◽  
Francesco Pagnini
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Post Intervention

Abstract The global population is aging while modern healthcare systems are responding with limited success to the growing care demands of the senior population. Capitalizing on recent technological advancements, new ways to improve older adults’ quality of life have recently been implemented. The current study investigated, from a qualitative point of view, the utility of a mindfulness-based smartphone application for older adults. A description of the older adults’ experience with the smartphone application designed to enhance well-being and mindfulness will be presented. Participants’general beliefs about the benefits of technology for personal well-being will also be discussed. 68 older adults were recruited from different education centers for seniors. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a) a treatment group, which received the smartphone application intervention (n = 34), or b) a waitlist control group (n = 34). The experimental intervention included the utilization of a smartphone app designed specifically for improving older adult well-being and mindfulness levels. Participants completed semi-structured interviews evaluating participants’ treatment experience and technology-acceptance at recruitment (T0, baseline) and post-intervention (T1, post-intervention). Through thematic analysis, four themes were identified from verbatim responses of both interviews: Utility of technology for health, Impressions of technology, Mindful-benefits of smartphone application usage, and Smartphone application usage as a means to improve interpersonal relationships. Participants showed a positive experience of the app intervention. Qualitative analysis underlined the main Mindfulness-benefits reported by participants and the potentially crucial role of “Langerian” mindfulness in the relationship between older adults and health technology.

scholarly journals Understanding Older Adults’ Technology use During COVID-19 to Support Health and Connection

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 960-961
Author(s):  
Shani Bardach ◽  
Elizabeth Rhodus ◽  
Kelly Parsons ◽  
Allison Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Personal Challenges

Abstract The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted everyday life as individuals, especially older adults, are encouraged to distance to reduce virus transmission. Remote strategies for connection may ameliorate risks for social isolation, however, older adults’ adoption of such strategies remains unknown. This study involved in-depth semi-structured interviews with 30 older adults (ages 68-94) regarding adaptations to the call for social distancing and use of technology. From a socioemotional selectivity theory lens, findings demonstrate respondents’ positive views of technology, expressing value in the context of supporting emotionally important relationships and goals, e.g. social connection and entertainment, rather than knowledge acquisition. Surprisingly, most respondents were uninterested in technology training. This may be consistent with diminished future time perspectives; several participants referenced their advanced age to explain disinterest in learning new technology and most seemed to have developed a level of technology use that met their needs. Technology resistance was consistent with a focus on emotionally meaningful goals; several respondents conveyed disinterest in social media due to perceived intrusiveness and others indicated a lack of interest in telemedicine and health portals due to the perceived loss in valuable human contact. Personal challenges with social distancing generally reflected limitations in safe human interactions, e.g. a desire for hugs or missing the spontaneity of social get-togethers, which remained emotionally meaningful but outside the scope of how technology could support wellbeing. These results suggest that focusing on older adults’ emotional goals, and highlighting how technology can support their achievement, may support meaningful use to promote health and connection.

scholarly journals Benefits, Barriers, and Needs for an AI-powered Medication Information Voice Chatbot for Older Adults: A Qualitative Analysis (Preprint)

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/32169 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghana Gudala ◽  
Sunitha Mogalla ◽  
Mandi Lyons ◽  
Padmavathy Ramaswamy ◽  
Mary Ellen Trail Ross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Medication Information

scholarly journals User Requirements for Technology to Assist Aging in Place: Qualitative Study of Older People and Their Informal Support Networks (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Elers ◽  
Inga Hunter ◽  
Dick Whiddett ◽  
Caroline Lockhart ◽  
Hans Guesgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Age In Place

BACKGROUND Informal support is essential for enabling many older people to age in place. However, there is limited research examining the information needs of older adults’ informal support networks and how these could be met through home monitoring and information and communication technologies. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate how technologies that connect older adults to their informal and formal support networks could assist aging in place and enhance older adults’ health and well-being. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 older adults and a total of 31 members of their self-identified informal support networks. They were asked questions about their information needs and how technology could support the older adults to age in place. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. RESULTS The analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) the social enablers theme, which outlined how timing, informal support networks, and safety concerns assist the older adults’ uptake of technology, (2) the technology concerns theme, which outlined concerns about cost, usability, information security and privacy, and technology superseding face-to-face contact, and (3) the information desired theme, which outlined what information should be collected and transferred and who should make decisions about this. CONCLUSIONS Older adults and their informal support networks may be receptive to technology that monitors older adults within the home if it enables aging in place for longer. However, cost, privacy, security, and usability barriers would need to be considered and the system should be individualizable to older adults’ changing needs. The user requirements identified from this study and described in this paper have informed the development of a technology that is currently being prototyped.

scholarly journals Coping with Febrile Illness in Children: A Qualitative Interview Study of Parents

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urzula Nora Urbāne ◽  
Dita Gaidule-Logina ◽  
Dace Gardovska ◽  
Jana Pavāre
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Parental Knowledge ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate parental perception of febrile illness in their children, the most commonly applied management practices, as well as the expectations from clinicians when coping with fever in children. The study included parents of patients admitted to the Emergency and Observation Department of Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Rīga, Latvia. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed, and the transcripts analysed by inductive thematic analysis. Thirty-four parental interviews were analysed. Six themes emerged from the study, which were: signs causing concern; beliefs regarding fever; assessment and monitoring of fever; fever management practices; help-seeking behaviour; and expectations from the healthcare personnel. Many parents believed that fever could potentially cause injuries to the nervous system, kidneys, the brain, other internal organs, and even cause death. The perceived threat of fever resulted in frequent temperature measurements and administration of antipyretics. Meeting the emotional and information needs of the parents were considered as equally important to meeting the child’s medical needs. The study found that fever phobia exists among parents. Parental misconceptions of fever lead to overly zealous management practices. Parental education initiatives must be organised in order to improve parental knowledge of fever and its management in children.

A design contribution to the entrepreneurial experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan David ROLDAN ACEVEDO ◽  
Ida TELALBASIC
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
User Centric ◽  
Constant Growth

In recent history, different design approaches have been entering fields like management and strategy to improve product development and service delivery. Specifically, entrepreneurship has adopted a user-centric mindset in methodologies like the business canvas model and the value proposition canvas which increases the awareness of the users’ needs when developing solutions. What happens when a service design approach is used to understand the entrepreneurs’ experience through the creation of their startups? Recent literature suggests that entrepreneurial activity and success is conditioned by their local entrepreneurship ecosystem. This study investigates the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem of Medellín, Colombia - an ecosystem in constant growth but that lacks qualitative analysis. The sample consists of 12 entrepreneurs in early-stage phase. The data was gathered with two design research methods: Cultural Probes and Semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the information collected facilitated the development of 4 insights about the entrepreneurs and an experience map to visualise and interpret their journey to create a startup. The results of this study reflected the implications of the ecosystem, the explanation of the users’ perceptions and awareness and propose a set of ideas to the local government to improve the experience of undertaking a startup in Medellín.

Interventions for Mental Health Problems in Later Life

2010 ◽  
pp. 810-837
Author(s):  
Jason M. Holland ◽  
Dolores Gallagher-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Worldwide Population ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Post Traumatic

Older adults are increasingly making up a larger segment of the worldwide population, which presents both challenges and opportunities for the clinical psychologist in the 21st century. In this chapter, we address some of the unique aspects of working with this population, focusing on general guidelines for tailoring interventions for older adults, specific treatments for particular problems commonly faced in later life, as well as issues of diversity and how they might impact psychotherapy with older clients. We also outline several areas in geropsychology that are in need of further investigation, namely the use of technology, post-traumatic stress, and family therapy, and offer some recommendations for future directions in this field of study.

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