CHI '14 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Abstract

This position paper examines excerpts of interview transcripts that explore empathetic communication among family and friends during end-of-life hospice care. Examples show how empathy can be expressed 1) outwardly as a desire to understand "the other", 2) inwardly, or as a desire to be understood by others, 3) self-reflexively, in which a new understanding of the self in the present or future is enable by a detour of empathizing for the other, 4) or dialectically, in which symmetrical empathy and self-reflexivity can result in the co-construction of a new shared meaning of the past or present. This paper hypothesizes that limitations to ability to empathize might be overcome through a reversal of the directional flow of empathy, in which a better understanding of the self might result in a better understanding of the other, or vise versa. Therefore, empathy sensitive designs need to account for overlapping and multi-direction flows of empathy, including a critical look at the self.

Designing the Optimal Digital Health Intervention for Patients’ Use Before and After Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Qualitative Study

“…Technologies that incorporated customizable features, which the patient could control and toggle according to their personal preferences, were considered another motivator for successful recovery. Participant autonomy has been shown to positively impact motivation levels and user experience, thereby improving patient care experiences [71][72][73]. Technology-enabled, preference-based care has improved patient and health care professional outcomes [72][73][74].…”

“…Participant autonomy has been shown to positively impact motivation levels and user experience, thereby improving patient care experiences [71][72][73]. Technology-enabled, preference-based care has improved patient and health care professional outcomes [72][73][74]. Technology creators may consider implementing customizable features to grant patients autonomy over aspects of their recovery [67,75].…”

Visualizing Computer-Based Activity on Ambient Displays to Reduce Sedentary Behavior at Work

“…For instance, the majority of office work routines are dominated by computer-based tasks, which can significantly influence workers' behavioral intention to move more [4,9]. Visualizing these working behaviors may support self-awareness and self-reflection on opportunities and intentions for being active during the workday [13]. Current interventions using computer activity data as an input are often displaying outputs under the form of dashboards or prompts on the computer screen [1,13,28,36].…”

“…Visualizing these working behaviors may support self-awareness and self-reflection on opportunities and intentions for being active during the workday [13]. Current interventions using computer activity data as an input are often displaying outputs under the form of dashboards or prompts on the computer screen [1,13,28,36]. Physical and tangible designs addressing office sedentary behavior exist, ranging from office furniture, lamps, or wearables [10][11][12]20].…”