Objectives: To suggest an acceptable and generic theoretical framework for involving various types of users in the medical device technology (MDT) development process (MDTDP). Methods:The authors propose a theoretical framework suggesting different routes, methods and stages through which various types of medical device users can be involved in the MDTDP. Results:The suggested framework comprises two streams of users' involvement in MDT development i.e. what might be called the end users' stream and the professional users' stream for involving these two groups respectively in the process of developing both simple and more complex and innovative medical devices from conceptualisation through to the market deployment. This framework implies various methods that can be used for users' involvement at different stages of the MDT lifecycle. To illustrate the application of the framework, a number of MDT development scenarios and device exemplars are presented. Conclusions:Development of medical devices from users' perspectives requires not only the involvement of healthcare professionals but also that of the ultimate end users i.e. patients, people with disabilities and/or special needs, and their caregivers. The evidence shows that such end users quickly discard devices that do not fulfil their personal expectations, even though both manufacturers and healthcare professionals may consider those end users' requirements met. Developers and manufacturers need to recognise this potent potential discrepancy between the parties involved, and involve end users and professional healthcare staff directly in the MDTDP. The framework, the authors contend, is a step forward in helping medical device manufacturers plan and make decisions about users' involvement at different stages of the MDTDP.3

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Like the evaluation of all other information systems initiatives, the evaluation of e-government in both theory and practice has proven to be important and complex. The complexity of evaluation is mostly due to the multiple perspectives involved, the difficulties of quantifying benefits, and the social and technical context of use. The importance of e-government evaluation is due to the enormous investment put in by governments for delivering e-government services and to the considerable pace of growing in the e-government field. However, despite the importance of the evaluation of e-government services, the literature shows that e-government evaluation is still an immature area in terms of development and management. This work is part of a research effort that aims to develop a rigorous and holistic evaluation framework for e-government systems. The main aim of this article is to develop evaluation criteria for an effective, adaptable, and reflective assessment of e-government systems from the citizen's perspective. Developing countries suffer from poor citizen utilization of their e-government initiatives, and the adoption of such criteria would positively contribute in enhancing government understanding of the factors that influence citizen utilization of e-government systems. Moreover, the criteria also can be used as means for providing valuable feedback for the planning of future e-government initiatives. C 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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