Teresa Blanco Bascuas
Senior Researcher and Lecturer
Biography
Publications
2022
Siguín, Marta; Blanco, Teresa; Rossano, Federico; Casas, Roberto
Modular E-Collar for Animal Telemetry: An Animal-Centered Design Proposal Artículo de revista
En: Sensors, vol. 22, no. 1, 2022, ISSN: 1424-8220.
@article{s22010300,
title = {Modular E-Collar for Animal Telemetry: An Animal-Centered Design Proposal},
author = {Marta Siguín and Teresa Blanco and Federico Rossano and Roberto Casas},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/1/300},
doi = {10.3390/s22010300},
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year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Sensors},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
abstract = {Animal telemetry is a subject of great potential and scientific interest, but it shows design-dependent problems related to price, flexibility and customization, autonomy, integration of elements, and structural design. The objective of this paper is to provide solutions, from the application of design, to cover the niches that we discovered by reviewing the scientific literature and studying the market. The design process followed to achieve the objective involved a development based on methodologies and basic design approaches focused on the human experience and also that of the animal. We present a modular collar that distributes electronic components in several compartments, connected, and powered by batteries that are wirelessly recharged. Its manufacture is based on 3D printing, something that facilitates immediacy in adaptation and economic affordability. The modularity presented by the proposal allows for adapting the size of the modules to the components they house as well as selecting which specific modules are needed in a project. The homogeneous weight distribution is transferred to the comfort of the animal and allows for a better integration of the elements of the collar. This device substantially improves the current offer of telemetry devices for farming animals, thanks to an animal-centered design process.},
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Animal telemetry is a subject of great potential and scientific interest, but it shows design-dependent problems related to price, flexibility and customization, autonomy, integration of elements, and structural design. The objective of this paper is to provide solutions, from the application of design, to cover the niches that we discovered by reviewing the scientific literature and studying the market. The design process followed to achieve the objective involved a development based on methodologies and basic design approaches focused on the human experience and also that of the animal. We present a modular collar that distributes electronic components in several compartments, connected, and powered by batteries that are wirelessly recharged. Its manufacture is based on 3D printing, something that facilitates immediacy in adaptation and economic affordability. The modularity presented by the proposal allows for adapting the size of the modules to the components they house as well as selecting which specific modules are needed in a project. The homogeneous weight distribution is transferred to the comfort of the animal and allows for a better integration of the elements of the collar. This device substantially improves the current offer of telemetry devices for farming animals, thanks to an animal-centered design process.
2021
Casas, Roberto; Hermosa, Arturo; Marco, Álvaro; Blanco, Teresa; Zarazaga-Soria, Francisco Javier
Real-Time Extensive Livestock Monitoring Using LPWAN Smart Wearable and Infrastructure Artículo de revista
En: Applied Sciences, vol. 11, no. 3, 2021, ISSN: 2076-3417.
@article{app11031240,
title = {Real-Time Extensive Livestock Monitoring Using LPWAN Smart Wearable and Infrastructure},
author = {Roberto Casas and Arturo Hermosa and Álvaro Marco and Teresa Blanco and Francisco Javier Zarazaga-Soria},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1240},
doi = {10.3390/app11031240},
issn = {2076-3417},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Applied Sciences},
volume = {11},
number = {3},
abstract = {Extensive unsupervised livestock farming is a habitual technique in many places around the globe. Animal release can be done for months, in large areas and with different species packing and behaving very differently. Nevertheless, the farmer’s needs are similar: where livestock is (and where has been) and how healthy they are. The geographical areas involved usually have difficult access with harsh orography and lack of communications infrastructure. This paper presents the design of a solution for extensive livestock monitoring in these areas. Our proposal is based in a wearable equipped with inertial sensors, global positioning system and wireless communications; and a Low-Power Wide Area Network infrastructure that can run with and without internet connection. Using adaptive analysis and data compression, we provide real-time monitoring and logging of cattle’s position and activities. Hardware and firmware design achieve very low energy consumption allowing months of battery life. We have thoroughly tested the devices in different laboratory setups and evaluated the system performance in real scenarios in the mountains and in the forest.},
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Extensive unsupervised livestock farming is a habitual technique in many places around the globe. Animal release can be done for months, in large areas and with different species packing and behaving very differently. Nevertheless, the farmer’s needs are similar: where livestock is (and where has been) and how healthy they are. The geographical areas involved usually have difficult access with harsh orography and lack of communications infrastructure. This paper presents the design of a solution for extensive livestock monitoring in these areas. Our proposal is based in a wearable equipped with inertial sensors, global positioning system and wireless communications; and a Low-Power Wide Area Network infrastructure that can run with and without internet connection. Using adaptive analysis and data compression, we provide real-time monitoring and logging of cattle’s position and activities. Hardware and firmware design achieve very low energy consumption allowing months of battery life. We have thoroughly tested the devices in different laboratory setups and evaluated the system performance in real scenarios in the mountains and in the forest.
Calavia, Belén; Blanco, Teresa; Casas, Roberto
Fostering creativity as a problem-solving competence through design: Think-Create-Learn, a tool for teachers Artículo de revista
En: Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 39, pp. 100761, 2021, ISSN: 1871-1871.
@article{CALAVIA2021100761,
title = {Fostering creativity as a problem-solving competence through design: Think-Create-Learn, a tool for teachers},
author = {Belén Calavia and Teresa Blanco and Roberto Casas},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871187120302352},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100761},
issn = {1871-1871},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Thinking Skills and Creativity},
volume = {39},
pages = {100761},
abstract = {Although there is no doubt about the relevance of creativity within education, theory has not been always translated into the practical level, for many reasons. In this paper we analyse the state of art, studying the methods through which creativity is understood and applied by teachers, and identifying problems and opportunities. Accordingly, we conducted a literature review to identify what should be considered to foster creativity in classrooms; from this review, we define fifteen key indicators of creativity in education: incorporation, practicality, novel, atmosphere, stimulation, analysis, cooperation, intrinsic motivation, participation, flexibility, uncertainty, time, divergence, self-evaluation, and redefinition. Based on these indicators, we provide a methodological proposal and a set of practical resources to help the teacher to encourage creativity in any classroom. ‘Think-Create-Learn’ relies on open, accessible, and intuitive design-based tools, facing challenges through a creative, problem-solving approach; connecting the contents with the student’s interests and reality; and generating new competency learning possibilities. The assessment of the methodology, with teachers and students, demonstrates its positive integration into the lines of current teaching curriculums, its validity to support mentioned factors, and its ability to aid teachers to produce more creative people. In short, this paper evidences how design discipline and the methodology proposed could have a relevant role in the creativity development inside educational centres.},
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Although there is no doubt about the relevance of creativity within education, theory has not been always translated into the practical level, for many reasons. In this paper we analyse the state of art, studying the methods through which creativity is understood and applied by teachers, and identifying problems and opportunities. Accordingly, we conducted a literature review to identify what should be considered to foster creativity in classrooms; from this review, we define fifteen key indicators of creativity in education: incorporation, practicality, novel, atmosphere, stimulation, analysis, cooperation, intrinsic motivation, participation, flexibility, uncertainty, time, divergence, self-evaluation, and redefinition. Based on these indicators, we provide a methodological proposal and a set of practical resources to help the teacher to encourage creativity in any classroom. ‘Think-Create-Learn’ relies on open, accessible, and intuitive design-based tools, facing challenges through a creative, problem-solving approach; connecting the contents with the student’s interests and reality; and generating new competency learning possibilities. The assessment of the methodology, with teachers and students, demonstrates its positive integration into the lines of current teaching curriculums, its validity to support mentioned factors, and its ability to aid teachers to produce more creative people. In short, this paper evidences how design discipline and the methodology proposed could have a relevant role in the creativity development inside educational centres.
2020
Marín, Javier; Blanco, Teresa; de la Torre, Juan; Marín, José J
Gait Analysis in a Box: A System Based on Magnetometer-Free IMUs or Clusters of Optical Markers with Automatic Event Detection Artículo de revista
En: Sensors, vol. 20, no. 12, 2020, ISSN: 1424-8220.
@article{s20123338,
title = {Gait Analysis in a Box: A System Based on Magnetometer-Free IMUs or Clusters of Optical Markers with Automatic Event Detection},
author = {Javier Marín and Teresa Blanco and Juan de la Torre and José J Marín},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/12/3338},
doi = {10.3390/s20123338},
issn = {1424-8220},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Sensors},
volume = {20},
number = {12},
abstract = {Gait analysis based on full-body motion capture technology (MoCap) can be used in rehabilitation to aid in decision making during treatments or therapies. In order to promote the use of MoCap gait analysis based on inertial measurement units (IMUs) or optical technology, it is necessary to overcome certain limitations, such as the need for magnetically controlled environments, which affect IMU systems, or the need for additional instrumentation to detect gait events, which affects IMUs and optical systems. We present a MoCap gait analysis system called Move Human Sensors (MH), which incorporates proposals to overcome both limitations and can be configured via magnetometer-free IMUs (MH-IMU) or clusters of optical markers (MH-OPT). Using a test-retest reliability experiment with thirty-three healthy subjects (20 men and 13 women, 21.7 ± 2.9 years), we determined the reproducibility of both configurations. The assessment confirmed that the proposals performed adequately and allowed us to establish usage considerations. This study aims to enhance gait analysis in daily clinical practice.},
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Gait analysis based on full-body motion capture technology (MoCap) can be used in rehabilitation to aid in decision making during treatments or therapies. In order to promote the use of MoCap gait analysis based on inertial measurement units (IMUs) or optical technology, it is necessary to overcome certain limitations, such as the need for magnetically controlled environments, which affect IMU systems, or the need for additional instrumentation to detect gait events, which affects IMUs and optical systems. We present a MoCap gait analysis system called Move Human Sensors (MH), which incorporates proposals to overcome both limitations and can be configured via magnetometer-free IMUs (MH-IMU) or clusters of optical markers (MH-OPT). Using a test–retest reliability experiment with thirty-three healthy subjects (20 men and 13 women, 21.7 ± 2.9 years), we determined the reproducibility of both configurations. The assessment confirmed that the proposals performed adequately and allowed us to establish usage considerations. This study aims to enhance gait analysis in daily clinical practice.
Marin, Javier; Marin, Jose J; Blanco, Teresa; de la Torre, Juan; Salcedo, Inmaculada; Martitegui, Elena
Is My Patient Improving? Individualized Gait Analysis in Rehabilitation Artículo de revista
En: Applied Sciences, vol. 10, no. 23, 2020, ISSN: 2076-3417.
@article{app10238558,
title = {Is My Patient Improving? Individualized Gait Analysis in Rehabilitation},
author = {Javier Marin and Jose J Marin and Teresa Blanco and Juan de la Torre and Inmaculada Salcedo and Elena Martitegui},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/23/8558},
doi = {10.3390/app10238558},
issn = {2076-3417},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Applied Sciences},
volume = {10},
number = {23},
abstract = {In the rehabilitation field, clinicians are continually struggling to assess improvements in patients following interventions. In this paper, we propose an approach to use gait analysis based on inertial motion capture (MoCap) to monitor individuals during rehabilitation. Gait is a cyclical movement that generates a sufficiently large data sample in each capture session to statistically compare two different sessions from a single patient. Using this crucial idea, 21 heterogeneous patients with hemiplegic spasticity were assessed using gait analysis before and after receiving treatment with botulinum toxin injections. Afterwards, the two sessions for each patient were compared using the magnitude-based decision statistical method. Due to the challenge of classifying changes in gait variables such as improvements or impairments, assessing each patient’s progress required an interpretative process. After completing this process, we determined that 10 patients showed overall improvement, five patients showed overall impairment, and six patients did not show any overall change. Finally, the interpretation process was summarized by developing guidelines to aid in future assessments. In this manner, our approach provides graphical information about the patients’ progress to assess improvement following intervention and to support decision-making. This research contributes to integrating MoCap-based gait analysis into rehabilitation.},
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In the rehabilitation field, clinicians are continually struggling to assess improvements in patients following interventions. In this paper, we propose an approach to use gait analysis based on inertial motion capture (MoCap) to monitor individuals during rehabilitation. Gait is a cyclical movement that generates a sufficiently large data sample in each capture session to statistically compare two different sessions from a single patient. Using this crucial idea, 21 heterogeneous patients with hemiplegic spasticity were assessed using gait analysis before and after receiving treatment with botulinum toxin injections. Afterwards, the two sessions for each patient were compared using the magnitude-based decision statistical method. Due to the challenge of classifying changes in gait variables such as improvements or impairments, assessing each patient’s progress required an interpretative process. After completing this process, we determined that 10 patients showed overall improvement, five patients showed overall impairment, and six patients did not show any overall change. Finally, the interpretation process was summarized by developing guidelines to aid in future assessments. In this manner, our approach provides graphical information about the patients’ progress to assess improvement following intervention and to support decision-making. This research contributes to integrating MoCap-based gait analysis into rehabilitation.
2019
Camal, Luis; Kirtane, Anup; Blanco, Teresa; Casas, Roberto; Rossano, Federico; Aksanli, Baris
A Wearable Device Network to Track Animal Behavior and Relationships in the Wild Artículo en actas
En: 2019 IEEE 10th Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics Mobile Communication Conference (UEMCON), pp. 0198-0202, 2019.
@inproceedings{8992986,
title = {A Wearable Device Network to Track Animal Behavior and Relationships in the Wild},
author = {Luis Camal and Anup Kirtane and Teresa Blanco and Roberto Casas and Federico Rossano and Baris Aksanli},
doi = {10.1109/UEMCON47517.2019.8992986},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-10-01},
booktitle = {2019 IEEE 10th Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics Mobile Communication Conference (UEMCON)},
pages = {0198-0202},
abstract = {The advancements in sensor technology have made it possible to design wearable devices specifically designed for animals. These wearable devices can be used for locating individual animals, monitor their status, and track their trajectories in the wild. Some animal groups (such as chimpanzees) exhibit complex group behavior and these group dynamics play an important role in the physical and mental health of the animals. Scientists have traditionally been monitoring group dynamics manually in the wild. This requires extensive field trips, costing a lot of time and money. This calls for using the recent developments in technology, such as smart wearable devices for this purpose. However, lack of infrastructure support (limited connectivity, limited power, etc.) in the wilderness makes this a tedious task. In this work-in-progress paper, we present our technological approach and how we address the issues of wilderness to study animal behavior. We demonstrate how we build a network of lightweight wearable devices, and how the digital output of these devices can be used to analyze animal relationship. We show an initial, exploratory experiment, outlining the capabilities of the devices and technologies used in terms of communication efficiency, and the potential of the devices that can be used in the wilderness. Our initial results show that up to 90% of the proximity-based interactions can be captured.},
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The advancements in sensor technology have made it possible to design wearable devices specifically designed for animals. These wearable devices can be used for locating individual animals, monitor their status, and track their trajectories in the wild. Some animal groups (such as chimpanzees) exhibit complex group behavior and these group dynamics play an important role in the physical and mental health of the animals. Scientists have traditionally been monitoring group dynamics manually in the wild. This requires extensive field trips, costing a lot of time and money. This calls for using the recent developments in technology, such as smart wearable devices for this purpose. However, lack of infrastructure support (limited connectivity, limited power, etc.) in the wilderness makes this a tedious task. In this work-in-progress paper, we present our technological approach and how we address the issues of wilderness to study animal behavior. We demonstrate how we build a network of lightweight wearable devices, and how the digital output of these devices can be used to analyze animal relationship. We show an initial, exploratory experiment, outlining the capabilities of the devices and technologies used in terms of communication efficiency, and the potential of the devices that can be used in the wilderness. Our initial results show that up to 90% of the proximity-based interactions can be captured.
Calavia, Belén; Blanco, Teresa; Casas, Roberto
Formando a personas creativas en la era digital. Evaluación x-disciplinar de una herramienta basada en el diseño Artículo de revista
En: Re_Visiones sobre Arte, Patrimonio y Tecnología en la era digital, pp. 185, 2019.
@article{ferrandez2,
title = {Formando a personas creativas en la era digital. Evaluación x-disciplinar de una herramienta basada en el diseño},
author = {Belén Calavia and Teresa Blanco and Roberto Casas },
year = {2019},
date = {2019-09-01},
journal = {Re_Visiones sobre Arte, Patrimonio y Tecnología en la era digital},
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Marín, Javier; Blanco, Teresa; Marín, José J; Moreno, Alejandro; Martitegui, Elena; Aragüés, Juan C
Integrating a gait analysis test in hospital rehabilitation: A service design approach Artículo de revista
En: PLOS ONE, vol. 14, no. 10, pp. 1-23, 2019.
@article{10.1371/journal.pone.0224409,
title = {Integrating a gait analysis test in hospital rehabilitation: A service design approach},
author = {Javier Marín and Teresa Blanco and José J Marín and Alejandro Moreno and Elena Martitegui and Juan C Aragüés},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224409},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0224409},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {PLOS ONE},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {1-23},
publisher = {Public Library of Science},
abstract = {Background Gait analysis with motion capture (MoCap) during rehabilitation can provide objective information to facilitate treatment decision making. However, designing a test to be integrated into healthcare services requires considering multiple design factors. The difficulty of integrating a ‘micro-service’ (gait test) within a ‘macro-service’ (healthcare service) has received little attention in the gait analysis literature. It is a challenge that goes beyond the gait analysis case study because service design methods commonly focus on the entire service design (macro-level). Objective This study aims to extract design considerations and generate guidelines to integrate MoCap technology for gait analysis in the hospital rehabilitation setting. Specifically, the aim is to design a gait test to assess the response of the applied treatments through pre- and post-measurement sessions. Methods We focused on patients with spasticity who received botulinum toxin treatment. A qualitative research design was used to investigate the integration of a gait analysis system based on inertial measurement units in a rehabilitation service at a reference hospital. The methodological approach was based on contrasted methodologies from the service design field, which materialise through observation techniques (during system use), semi-structured interviews, and workshops with healthcare professionals (13 patients, 10 ‘proxies’, and 6 doctors). Results The analysis resulted in six themes: (1) patients’ understanding, (2) guiding the gait tests, (3) which professionals guide the gait tests, (4) gait test reports, (5) requesting gait tests (doctors and test guide communication), and the (6) conceptual design of the service with the gait test. Conclusions The extracted design considerations and guidelines increase the applicability and usefulness of the gait analysis technology, improving the link between technologists and healthcare professionals. The proposed methodological approach can also be useful for service design teams that deal with the integration of one service into another.},
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pubstate = {published},
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Background Gait analysis with motion capture (MoCap) during rehabilitation can provide objective information to facilitate treatment decision making. However, designing a test to be integrated into healthcare services requires considering multiple design factors. The difficulty of integrating a ‘micro-service’ (gait test) within a ‘macro-service’ (healthcare service) has received little attention in the gait analysis literature. It is a challenge that goes beyond the gait analysis case study because service design methods commonly focus on the entire service design (macro-level). Objective This study aims to extract design considerations and generate guidelines to integrate MoCap technology for gait analysis in the hospital rehabilitation setting. Specifically, the aim is to design a gait test to assess the response of the applied treatments through pre- and post-measurement sessions. Methods We focused on patients with spasticity who received botulinum toxin treatment. A qualitative research design was used to investigate the integration of a gait analysis system based on inertial measurement units in a rehabilitation service at a reference hospital. The methodological approach was based on contrasted methodologies from the service design field, which materialise through observation techniques (during system use), semi-structured interviews, and workshops with healthcare professionals (13 patients, 10 ‘proxies’, and 6 doctors). Results The analysis resulted in six themes: (1) patients’ understanding, (2) guiding the gait tests, (3) which professionals guide the gait tests, (4) gait test reports, (5) requesting gait tests (doctors and test guide communication), and the (6) conceptual design of the service with the gait test. Conclusions The extracted design considerations and guidelines increase the applicability and usefulness of the gait analysis technology, improving the link between technologists and healthcare professionals. The proposed methodological approach can also be useful for service design teams that deal with the integration of one service into another.
Calavia, Belén; Blanco, Teresa; Casas, Roberto
Recursos basados en el diseño para fomentar la creatividad en el aula Informe técnico
2019.
@techreport{calavia2019recursos,
title = {Recursos basados en el diseño para fomentar la creatividad en el aula},
author = {Belén Calavia and Teresa Blanco and Roberto Casas},
doi = {10.26754/CINAIC.2019.0120},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
booktitle = {V Congreso Internacional sobre Aprendizaje, Innovación y Competitividad (CINAIC 2019)},
pages = {590-595},
abstract = {En los últimos años se ha incrementado el interés en formar a los alumnos en competencias transversales como la creatividad. Sin embargo, dicho enfoque no siempre se traduce a nivel práctico; porqué las escuelas no producen personas más creativas es una pregunta que actualmente no tiene respuesta. Un posible foco de actuación es el desarrollo de nuevos recursos que conecten a docentes y alumnos dentro del entorno educativo. En este artículo se presenta una experiencia de aprendizaje en el ámbito de secundaria a partir de una nueva metodología basada en el pensamiento de diseño, y destinada a contribuir en la formación de individuos más creativos. Se concluye que la metodología desarrollada se integra positivamente en el currículo, y es reconocida de gran ayuda para fomentar la creatividad en las escuelas. Asimismo, se evidencia la oportunidad que tiene el campo de la ingeniería de diseño en este y en otros posibles entornos educativos.},
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En los últimos años se ha incrementado el interés en formar a los alumnos en competencias transversales como la creatividad. Sin embargo, dicho enfoque no siempre se traduce a nivel práctico; porqué las escuelas no producen personas más creativas es una pregunta que actualmente no tiene respuesta. Un posible foco de actuación es el desarrollo de nuevos recursos que conecten a docentes y alumnos dentro del entorno educativo. En este artículo se presenta una experiencia de aprendizaje en el ámbito de secundaria a partir de una nueva metodología basada en el pensamiento de diseño, y destinada a contribuir en la formación de individuos más creativos. Se concluye que la metodología desarrollada se integra positivamente en el currículo, y es reconocida de gran ayuda para fomentar la creatividad en las escuelas. Asimismo, se evidencia la oportunidad que tiene el campo de la ingeniería de diseño en este y en otros posibles entornos educativos.
Blanco, Teresa; Casas, Roberto; Marco, Álvaro; Martínez, Ignacio
Micro ad-hoc Health Social Networks (uHSN). Design and evaluation of a social-based solution for patient support Artículo de revista
En: Journal of Biomedical Informatics, vol. 89, pp. 68-80, 2019, ISSN: 1532-0464.
@article{BLANCO201968,
title = {Micro ad-hoc Health Social Networks (uHSN). Design and evaluation of a social-based solution for patient support},
author = {Teresa Blanco and Roberto Casas and Álvaro Marco and Ignacio Martínez},
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abstract = {Objective
To contribute the design, development, and assessment of a new concept: Micro ad hoc Health Social Networks (uHSN), to create a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease.
Design
After in-depth fieldwork and intensive co-design over a 4-year project following Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this paper contributes a new paradigm of uHSN, defining two interaction areas (the “backstage”, the sphere invisible to the final user, where processes that build services take place; and the “onstage”, the visible part that includes the patients and relatives), and describes a new transversal concept, i.e., “network spaces segments,” to provide timely interaction among all involved profiles and guaranteeing qualitative relationships. This proposal is applicable to any service design project and to all types of work areas; in the present work, it served as a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease in two real-life health scenarios: a Parkinson disease patient association and a Stroke rehabilitation service in a hospital. These two scenarios included the following main features: thematic (related to the specific disease), private, and secure (only for the patient, relatives, healthcare professional, therapist, carer), with defined specific objectives (around patient support), small size (from tens to hundreds of users), ability to integrate innovative services (e.g., connection to hospital information service or to health sensors), supported by local therapeutic associations, and clustered with preconfigured relationships among users based in network groups.
Measurements
Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach for 6 months, the performance of the uHSN was assessed in the two environments: a hospital rehabilitation unit working with Stroke patients, and a Parkinson disease association providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, speech therapy, and social services. We describe the proposed methods for evaluating the uHSN quantitatively and qualitatively, and how the scientific community can replicate and/or integrate this contribution in its research.
Results
The uHSN overcomes the main limitations of traditional HSNs in the main areas recommended in the literature: privacy, security, transparency, system ecology, Quality of Service (QoS), and technology enhancement. The qualitative and quantitative research demonstrated its viability and replicability in four key points: user acceptance, productivity improvement, QoS enhancement, and fostering of social relations. It also meets the expectation of connecting health and social worlds, supporting distance rehabilitation, improving professionals’ efficiency, expanding users’ social capital, improving information quality and immediacy, and enhancing perceived peer/social/emotional support. The scientific contributions of the present paper are the first step not only in customizing health solutions that empower patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, but also in transferring this new paradigm to other scientific, professional, and social environments to create new opportunities.},
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Objective
To contribute the design, development, and assessment of a new concept: Micro ad hoc Health Social Networks (uHSN), to create a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease.
Design
After in-depth fieldwork and intensive co-design over a 4-year project following Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this paper contributes a new paradigm of uHSN, defining two interaction areas (the “backstage”, the sphere invisible to the final user, where processes that build services take place; and the “onstage”, the visible part that includes the patients and relatives), and describes a new transversal concept, i.e., “network spaces segments,” to provide timely interaction among all involved profiles and guaranteeing qualitative relationships. This proposal is applicable to any service design project and to all types of work areas; in the present work, it served as a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease in two real-life health scenarios: a Parkinson disease patient association and a Stroke rehabilitation service in a hospital. These two scenarios included the following main features: thematic (related to the specific disease), private, and secure (only for the patient, relatives, healthcare professional, therapist, carer), with defined specific objectives (around patient support), small size (from tens to hundreds of users), ability to integrate innovative services (e.g., connection to hospital information service or to health sensors), supported by local therapeutic associations, and clustered with preconfigured relationships among users based in network groups.
Measurements
Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach for 6 months, the performance of the uHSN was assessed in the two environments: a hospital rehabilitation unit working with Stroke patients, and a Parkinson disease association providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, speech therapy, and social services. We describe the proposed methods for evaluating the uHSN quantitatively and qualitatively, and how the scientific community can replicate and/or integrate this contribution in its research.
Results
The uHSN overcomes the main limitations of traditional HSNs in the main areas recommended in the literature: privacy, security, transparency, system ecology, Quality of Service (QoS), and technology enhancement. The qualitative and quantitative research demonstrated its viability and replicability in four key points: user acceptance, productivity improvement, QoS enhancement, and fostering of social relations. It also meets the expectation of connecting health and social worlds, supporting distance rehabilitation, improving professionals’ efficiency, expanding users’ social capital, improving information quality and immediacy, and enhancing perceived peer/social/emotional support. The scientific contributions of the present paper are the first step not only in customizing health solutions that empower patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, but also in transferring this new paradigm to other scientific, professional, and social environments to create new opportunities.
To contribute the design, development, and assessment of a new concept: Micro ad hoc Health Social Networks (uHSN), to create a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease.
Design
After in-depth fieldwork and intensive co-design over a 4-year project following Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), this paper contributes a new paradigm of uHSN, defining two interaction areas (the “backstage”, the sphere invisible to the final user, where processes that build services take place; and the “onstage”, the visible part that includes the patients and relatives), and describes a new transversal concept, i.e., “network spaces segments,” to provide timely interaction among all involved profiles and guaranteeing qualitative relationships. This proposal is applicable to any service design project and to all types of work areas; in the present work, it served as a social-based solution for supporting patients with chronic disease in two real-life health scenarios: a Parkinson disease patient association and a Stroke rehabilitation service in a hospital. These two scenarios included the following main features: thematic (related to the specific disease), private, and secure (only for the patient, relatives, healthcare professional, therapist, carer), with defined specific objectives (around patient support), small size (from tens to hundreds of users), ability to integrate innovative services (e.g., connection to hospital information service or to health sensors), supported by local therapeutic associations, and clustered with preconfigured relationships among users based in network groups.
Measurements
Using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach for 6 months, the performance of the uHSN was assessed in the two environments: a hospital rehabilitation unit working with Stroke patients, and a Parkinson disease association providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, speech therapy, and social services. We describe the proposed methods for evaluating the uHSN quantitatively and qualitatively, and how the scientific community can replicate and/or integrate this contribution in its research.
Results
The uHSN overcomes the main limitations of traditional HSNs in the main areas recommended in the literature: privacy, security, transparency, system ecology, Quality of Service (QoS), and technology enhancement. The qualitative and quantitative research demonstrated its viability and replicability in four key points: user acceptance, productivity improvement, QoS enhancement, and fostering of social relations. It also meets the expectation of connecting health and social worlds, supporting distance rehabilitation, improving professionals’ efficiency, expanding users’ social capital, improving information quality and immediacy, and enhancing perceived peer/social/emotional support. The scientific contributions of the present paper are the first step not only in customizing health solutions that empower patients, their families, and healthcare professionals, but also in transferring this new paradigm to other scientific, professional, and social environments to create new opportunities.
