Rolf Dalin

The benefits of e-health support for older family caregivers in rural areas:

Summary We conducted a pragmatic, mixed methods study comparing rural family caregivers receiving e-health caregiver support (n = 35) with a control group (n = 21) receiving conventional, non-e-health, caregiver support. After 18 months, the benefits of support were evaluated using the Care Effectiveness Scale (40-items exploring the domains of preparedness, enrichment and predictability). In all domains the e-health group scored significantly higher than the control group. The adjusted difference for overall benefits was 3.0 (P = 0.02) on the scale 0-10. In addition, semi structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of the caregivers. For the e-health group flexibility, availability and being able to individualise the support were essential factors. All caregivers in the control group found conventional support to be beneficial, but also stressed unmet needs related to the conventional support being standardised and non-flexible. The study suggests that providers of caregiver support should offer e-health support as an alternative to conventional caregiver support, as it can be more beneficial to family caregivers.

An Approach to Measurement and Statistical Description of Participation in Community Life for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

Participation has emerged as a central concept in defining the goals of disability policy in Sweden as well as internationally. Yet it has rarely been operationalized as a foundation for planning services. As part of an attempt to survey the needs of individuals experiencing psychiatric disabilities, the authors have developed a scale for measuring participation in five areas of community life. The scale uses four distinct categories as levels, specific for each area of life, and a set of statistical descriptive techniques designed to illustrate and communicate information regarding levels, capacities, and wishes related to a participatory life in the community. Based on a pilot study, the article illustrates how the collective needs of a population of individuals experiencing psychiatric disability can be described and presented to practitioners as a support for system planning.

Older People Using e-Health Services—Exploring Frequency of Use and Associations with Perceived Benefits for Spouse Caregivers

ICT, information- and communication technologies, and e-health services are essential for meeting future care demands. Greater knowledge regarding the implementation of e-health services in long-te ...

A digital 3D signage system and its effect on customer behavior

The use of digital signs simplifies distribution. Importantly, it draws more attention than static signs. A way to increase attention is to add an experienced depth. The paper discusses possible alternatives for extending an existing digital signage system to display stereoscopic 3D contents, comparing a decentralized distribution solution and a centralized solution. A functional prototype system was implemented. A new 3D player was developed to render views from different formats. The implemented system was used to study customer behavior when exposed to digital stereoscopic 3D signage in a direct sales situation. The proportion of sales of selected products related to the total number of sold products varied approximately equally before and during tests. An interview study suggests that the sign did not interact with customer decisions: customers were lost at different stages in this series of steps, among others the sign placement.