Computing and Information Systems - Research Publications
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ItemBetter Health Explorer: Designing for Health Information Seekers(Association for Computing Machinery, 2015)A vast amount of health information has been published online, yet users often report difficulties in locating information in this particular domain. Based on our prior research, we consider four categories of online health information seekers who demonstrate mixed information needs. Although their searching needs are often well satisfied by entering keywords into search engines, their need to explore information is not so well supported, thus affecting their user experience and satisfaction. In this paper, we propose design principles for supporting the exploration of online health information. We present the rationale and the design process of a web app - Better Health Explorer - which is a proof-of-concept app tailored to health information exploration. This work contributes to the design of online health information systems as well as exploratory systems in general.
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ItemBetter health information exploration(ACM, 2015-12-07)The provision of health information has to be clear and appealing to users. Research has shown that health information seekers do not all have the same attributes, skills or needs. In any given health-related app or website, there is a need to provide tools for accessing information in ways that appeal to users. This is not always supported by current web technologies. As such, based on prior research on health information seeking behaviour and needs, we designed and created a proofof- concept website named Better Health Explorer to experiment on health information seekers. The pilot results show a positive effect on supporting and improving the experience of seekers with exploratory search behaviour.
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ItemA systematic examination of the use of Online social networking sites for sexual health promotion(BMC, 2011-07-21)BACKGROUND: In recent years social networking sites (SNSs) have grown rapidly in popularity. The popularity of these sites, along with their interactive functions, offer a novel environment in which to deliver health promotion messages. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which SNSs are currently being used for sexual health promotion and describe the breadth of these activities. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of published scientific literature, electronic sources (general and scientific search engines, blogs) and SNSs (Facebook, MySpace) to identify existing sexual health promotion activities using SNSs. Health promotion activities were eligible for inclusion if they related to sexual health or behaviour, utilised one or more SNSs, and involved some element of health promotion. Information regarding the source and type of health promotion activity, target population and site activity were extracted. RESULTS: 178 sexual health promotion activities met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review; only one activity was identified through a traditional systematic search of the published scientific literature. Activities most commonly used one SNS, were conducted by not-for-profit organisations, targeted young people and involved information delivery. Facebook was the most commonly used SNS (used by 71% of all health promotion activities identified), followed by MySpace and Twitter. Seventy nine percent of activities on MySpace were considered inactive as there had been no online posts within the past month, compared to 22% of activities using Facebook and 14% of activities using Twitter. The number of end-users and posts in the last seven days varied greatly between health promotion activities. CONCLUSIONS: SNSs are being used for sexual health promotion, although the extent to which they are utilised varies greatly, and the vast majority of activities are unreported in the scientific literature. Future studies should examine the key factors for success among those activities attracting a large and active user base, and how success might be measured, in order to guide the development of future health promotion activities in this emerging setting.
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ItemEngaging Consumers with Musculoskeletal Conditions in Health Research: A User-entred Perspective(IOS PRESS, 2017)Consumers are frequently involved in different kinds of health research, such as clinical trials, focus groups, and surveys. As pointed out by different studies, recruiting and involving consumers to participate in academic research can be challenging. While different research and guidelines are provided to instruct researchers to recruit participants ethically, they seldom consider the needs and expectations of consumers. In this research, we interviewed 23 consumers with musculoskeletal conditions in Australia, to understand their needs and motivations for participating in research from a user-centred perspective. Based on these data, we systematically summarise consumers' feedback into four main themes: (1) Research as Learning Opportunity; (2) The Important Role of Communities and Health Professionals; (3) Research Transparency and Updates; and (4) Special Needs for People with MSK Conditions. As a result, a few recommendations are proposed and researchers should further consider these when designing consumer-based studies. Ultimately, with a better understanding of consumers, we hope that our research can enhance consumer engagement and improve their participation in health research.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableLanguages Education through Virtual conferencing: How to set up or participate in languages programs using virtual conferencing - A Manual for principals and teachers(Department of Education and Train, 2015)
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ItemFinding and Exploring Health Information with a Slider-Based User Interface(IOS PRESS, 2016)Despite the fact that search engines are the primary channel to access online health information, there are better ways to find and explore health information on the web. Search engines are prone to problems when they are used to find health information. For instance, users have difficulties in expressing health scenarios with appropriate search keywords, search results are not optimised for medical queries, and the search process does not account for users' literacy levels and reading preferences. In this paper, we describe our approach to addressing these problems by introducing a novel design using a slider-based user interface for discovering health information without the need for precise search keywords. The user evaluation suggests that the interface is easy to use and able to assist users in the process of discovering new information. This study demonstrates the potential value of adopting slider controls in the user interface of health websites for navigation and information discovery.
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ItemImproving Vitamin D Status and Related Health in Young Women: The Safe-D study - Part B(JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC, 2016-05-10)BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent and associated with increased risk of a number of chronic health conditions including cardiovascular disease, poor bone and muscle health, poor mental health, infection, and diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency affects millions of Australians, potentially causing considerable suffering, economic loss, and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To measure the effectiveness of a (1) mobile-based app (behavioral) and (2) pharmacological intervention to increase circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (serum 25 OHD) levels and health outcomes over 4 months of intervention compared with usual care in a cohort of young women with suboptimal serum 25 OHD levels (25-75 nmol/L). METHODS: Participants with 25 OHD levels 25 to 75 nmol/L are invited to participate in this study. Participants are randomized to one of three groups in 1:1:1 ratio: a mobile phone-based application, vitamin D supplementation (1000 IU/day), and a control group. Data collection points are at baseline, 4, and 12 months post baseline with the major endpoints being at 4 months. A wide-range of information is collected from participants throughout the course of this study. General health, behavioral and demographic information, medications, smoking, alcohol and other substance use, health risk factors, nutrition, eating patterns and disorders, and mental health data are sourced from self-administered, Web-based surveys. Clinical data include anthropometric measurements, a silicone skin cast of the hand, cutaneous melanin density, bone mineral density, and body composition scans obtained through site visits. Main analyses will be conducted in two ways on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis using the last observation carried forward approach as an imputation for missing data, and on a per protocol basis to compare the intervention arms against the control group at 4 and 12 months. RESULTS: Publication of trial results is anticipated in 2017. CONCLUSIONS: The study will allow assessment of the effects of a mobile-based app behavioral intervention and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status and will evaluate the effects of improving vitamin D levels on several health outcomes.
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ItemGuidelines and Recommendations for Developing Interactive eHealth Apps for Complex Messaging in Health Promotion(JMIR PUBLICATIONS, INC, 2016-02-09)BACKGROUND: The now ubiquitous catchphrase, "There's an app for that," rings true owing to the growing number of mobile phone apps. In excess of 97,000 eHealth apps are available in major app stores. Yet the effectiveness of these apps varies greatly. While a minority of apps are developed grounded in theory and in conjunction with health care experts, the vast majority are not. This is concerning given the Hippocratic notion of "do no harm." There is currently no unified formal theory for developing interactive eHealth apps, and development is especially difficult when complex messaging is required, such as in health promotion and prevention. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to provide insight into the creation of interactive eHealth apps for complex messaging, by leveraging the Safe-D case study, which involved complex messaging required to guide safe but sufficient UV exposure for vitamin D synthesis in users. We aim to create recommendations for developing interactive eHealth apps for complex messages based on the lessons learned during Safe-D app development. METHODS: For this case study we developed an Apple and Android app, both named Safe-D, to safely improve vitamin D status in young women through encouraging safe ultraviolet radiation exposure. The app was developed through participatory action research involving medical and human computer interaction researchers, subject matter expert clinicians, external developers, and target users. The recommendations for development were created from analysis of the development process. RESULTS: By working with clinicians and implementing disparate design examples from the literature, we developed the Safe-D app. From this development process, recommendations for developing interactive eHealth apps for complex messaging were created: (1) involve a multidisciplinary team in the development process, (2) manage complex messages to engage users, and (3) design for interactivity (tailor recommendations, remove barriers to use, design for simplicity). CONCLUSIONS: This research has provided principles for developing interactive eHealth apps for complex messaging as guidelines by aggregating existing design concepts and expanding these concepts and new learnings from our development process. A set of guidelines to develop interactive eHealth apps generally, and specifically those for complex messaging, was previously missing from the literature; this research has contributed these principles. Safe-D delivers complex messaging simply, to aid education, and explicitly, considering user safety.