George Tadros

Detection of the onset of agitation in patients with dementia: real-time monitoring and the application of big-data solutions

The changing demographic profile of the population has potentially challenging consequences resulting in a rapidly growing elderly population with healthcare implications including Alzheimer type conditions (a leading cause of dementia). Dementia requires long term care to manage the negative behavioural symptoms which are primarily exhibited in terms of agitation and aggression. This article considers dementia with a discussion around independent assisted living (IAL). We discuss the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and the factors (precursors) to the onset of agitation and aggression. Context and data processing is introduced and the nature of knowledge considered. Next generation context-aware systems are considered with the focus on health monitoring. We postulate that the challenges lie in the effective realisation of IAL; achieving this however remains an objective of intensive multi-disciplinary research involving both clinicians and computer science in the development of software and non-invasive sensor technologies implemented in mobile systems.

Student filmmakers' attitudes towards mental illness and its cinematic representation - an evaluation of a training intervention for film students

Abstract Background: Government strategy for mental health places tackling stigma as a main priority. National initiatives have attempted to tackle stigma by challenging negative media reporting and the use of stereotyped representations of mental illness, with mixed results. Educational interventions have attempted to address stigmatising attitudes in young people but no studies have explored the value of such interventions for film students. Aims: The study aimed to assess the value of a lecture-based training intervention designed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of student filmmakers towards mental illness and its cinematic representation. Method: A self-report questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention, which measured the knowledge and attitudes of the subjects. Results: 32 out of 54 students (59.3%) showed statistically significant improvement in attitudes and knowledge overall, although this was less marked in responses to the attitudinal subset questions compared with knowledge-based questions. Feedback was positive. Conclusions: The training session was successful in its aims for most but not all students. The intervention is reproducible but further work needs to be done to clarify how best to influence attitudes and behaviour as well as knowledge.

Emerging Technologies for Monitoring Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are complex array of symptoms that have devastating impact on patients, carers and their loved ones. In this paper we argue that with the combined use of pervasive computing and big data, we could make significant progress in the diagnosis of the causes of BPSD, monitoring response to treatment and helping in the prevention of these symptoms. We review the available technologies, such as Cloud computing and context aware systems, and how they could help in managing and hopefully preventing the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia.

Advanced Technological Solutions for E-Health and Dementia Patient Monitoring

Computer technology has been reported to pose significant usability problems for older users. Further usability problems have been encountered with small, mobile computing devices due to their size as well as age-related declines. This chapter focuses on the usability of mobile computing devices for older people by first employing target users in a study to establish the problems to be addressed when using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The development of an intelligent mobile interface companion called MemorLane to support older people by adapting its presentation and multimodal output of life-cached data to address individual user preferences and physical abilities is then presented, followed by the results of a detailed user-centred evaluation with further target users. Results show that the adaptability to individual requirements and preferences leads to statistically significant improvements both in the usability of the mobile interface and in the levels of user satisfaction experienced.

Towards Independent Assisted Living: The Application of Intelligent Context-Aware Systems

The changing demographic profile of the population has potentially challenging social, geopolitical, and financial consequences for individuals, families, the wider society, and governments globally. The demographic change will result in a rapidly growing elderly population with healthcare implications including Alzheimer type conditions (a leading cause of dementia). Dementia requires long term care to manage the negative behavioral symptoms which are primarily exhibited in terms of agitation and aggression. This paper considers the issues and challenges implicit in the management of Alzheimer type conditions and dementia with a discussion around independent assisted living. Context is introduced with consideration of contextual information and the nature of knowledge. Context processing is discussed. We postulate that the challenges lie in the effective realization of independent assisted living, achieving this remains an open research question.

Situational Awareness for Enhanced Patient Management

Patient management in hospital environments with the provision of effective care pathways represents a significant challenge. Hospital settings are characterized by uncertainty driven by the need to accommodate both elective treatments and emergency cases [which generally arrive without warning, this can place great strain on the healthcare system. This paper considers these issues along with the potential technological developments which may provide a solution to the challenges faced by healthcare professionals (or at least mitigate the impact of the challenging complex and dynamic hospital environment). It is postulated that technology enhanced patient management based on situational awareness in intelligent context-aware systems has the capability to improve patient experience along with improvements in resource utilization in a hospital setting.