This case study presents a multi-phase evaluation of wayfinding difficulties in an older hospital in the UK. The first three phases made use of conventional methods for exploring wayfinding difficulties. These included a questionnaire survey for patients, a wayfinding task followed by interviews, and a questionnaire survey for stakeholders. These exercises indicated that there was a problem with wayfinding which was primarily addressed by patients and visitors asking members of staff for directions. However, the exercises provided little in the way of specific recommendations for improving wayfinding. The fourth phase of the research used mobile eye-tracking combined with a wayfinding task and interviews to explore where visitors looked for information, what signs attracted attention, and for how long. As a result of this exercise specific recommendations were made on sign placement, use of colour, and associated issues. The final phase of the research repeated the eye-tracking exercise after the recommendations were implemented. Shorter journey times and positive comments in the interviews following this exercise indicated that the modifications were effective in improving the wayfinding experience. Mobile eye-tracking appears to have potential for helping to design effective wayfinding systems in large healthcare facilities.
Stroke is the second highest cause of death and disability worldwide. While rehabilitation programs are intended to support stroke survivors, and promote recovery after they leave the hospital, current rehabilitation programs typically provide only static written instructions and lack the ability to keep them engaged with the program. In this design science research paper, we present an mHealth artifact that builds on behavior change theory to increase stroke survivors' engagement in rehabilitation programs. We employed a co-design methodology to identify design requirements for the stroke rehabilitation mHealth artifact, addressing stroke survivors' needs and incorporating expertise of healthcare providers. Guided by these requirements, we developed design principles for the artifact pertaining to visual assets that are essential in immersing users in the design. We carried out a two-stage development process by having workshops and interviews with experts. Following this, a prototype was developed and evaluated in a series of workshops with multiple stakeholders.
In the gerontological literature, the family has been characterised as either a party that has pushed the aged person into nursing homes or one which has assisted them to remain at home. But few studies have systematically examined the role the family plays in placing the older person in a nursing home. As part of a study that is reconstructing the pathway of 90 aged persons moving to nursing homes, this paper identifies the main actors in the institutionalisation decision, as well as the role the aged person, her family and health professionals play in decisions to obtain nursing home care.
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