REWBAH 2023:
Paper Abstracts
Initial Case Study Findings for Requirements on Work-Related Health Aspects
Elizabeth Bjarnason, Johanna Persson and Christofer Rydenfält.
Abstract: Most work implies the use of digital systems and tools; thus, digital technology plays a vital role in modern work environments. Even so, ergonomics and usability of IT systems and digital tools used at work are often weak, which causes work-related health problems including physical, visual, cognitive, and stress-related issues. We pose that one important reason for these types of issues is the lack of methods and guidelines for how to include usability and ergonomics in requirements engineering, in general, and, in particular, when procuring digital systems for use in the workplace. In our ongoing research project, we are exploring how work-related health aspects are handled in requirements specifications used for public procurement of IT systems for municipal care and health care services. We have acquired procurement documentation from 9 2 (of 290) Swedish municipalities and are in the process of performing qualitative content analysis of a subset of these. In this paper, we describe our overall research approach and provide some initial observations based on analysis of three public procurements. We observe a variation in how requirements specifications are structured and present an initial set of work-related health aspects to consider when specifying requirements for IT systems to be used in the workplace.
Human Values-Driven User Requirements with the ACT Matrix: An eExam Case Study
Paul McIntosh, Ingo Mueller and Waqar Hussain.
Abstract: Software systems are increasingly being used to mediate stressful life events that have lasting implications on individuals' well-being. To assist users in attaining their best outcomes, while managing uncomfortable feelings, requirements engineers need to consider the sociotechnical aspects of a system. They should consider the values driving user needs as well as the technical aspects. In this paper, we present a novel approach of using the ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Matrix as a method for eliciting human values-driven user requirements. The ACT Matrix is a visual mapping tool, originally used by psychotherapists to assist their clients to focus on valued actions despite uncomfortable feelings, to achieve long-term health and well-being outcomes. Our main research question aimed to answer whether the ACT Matrix instrument is an effective tool for requirements engineers to elicit values-driven user requirements that can be implementable to improve a sociotechnical system. We present our case study of applying this method to a system which mediates university exams. We report on methodology and study design and present preliminary results, with examples of values-driven user requirements. The pros and cons of the application of the ACT matrix tool are discussed from both a human values and requirements engineering perspective and recommendations made.
A Prototype for Decision Support Targeting Recreation Prescription for Older Adults in Social Isolation (℞OSI)
Namrata Bagaria and Daniel Amyot.
Abstract: Background: Social isolation is a lack of regular social contacts that often negatively impacts well-being. The literature on recreational activities for addressing social isolation in older adults offers a variety of activities with different effectiveness levels, but it does so without concrete goals or decision methods to recommend them. Goal: This paper proposes a prototype for RxOSI, a web-based decision support tool that aims to support independent living staff in identifying, assessing, evaluating, and recommending (prescribing) activities to improve the social engagement of residents. Methodology: The Design Science Research Methodology is used for the prototype development, and qualitative methods from social sciences were adapted for requirements elicitation. Data from 20 podcasts on preventing social isolation in older adults was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The results were used to complement the information extracted from a literature review to develop input questions, underlying logic, and outputs. Results: RxOSI is built on Social Exchange Theory and the prototype was developed using open-source software (Pencil). RxOSI is designed for independent living in North America. RxOSI’s input questions cover important aspects related to demographics, social engagement levels, interests, and accommodation needs. RxOSI’s outputs cover (1) baseline classification of an individual based on engagement levels, (2) confirmation of the user goal, (3) recommended recreational activities, benefits, steps, frequencies, and preparation checklists, and (4) reminders for individuals who use assistive technologies so that they can be prepared for their recreational activities. The underlying logic for recommending recreational activities aims to increase social engagement in an incremental manner. Future Directions: The prototype will be tested with older adults and experts in the field and will be iterated two more times based on feedback.
Improving Medical Communication: A Multidisciplinary Study to Develop a Digital Inquiries Application for Patients
Meira Levy and Dikla Agur-Cohen.
Abstract: Communication between family physicians (FPs) and patients via digital inquiries systems has become a widespread practice, often replacing physical meetings and phone calls. Studies around the world have shown the importance of digital communication alongside FP frustration and burnout as well as patient dissatisfaction. This study aims to examine and map existing types of inquiries and typical replies to such. In addition, we study FPs’ perceptions and barriers regarding digital communication via current inquiry systems, and how such communication can be improved. This is a preliminary study in preparation for a follow-up study that will deepen the analysis towards the design of a technological solution aimed at streamlining the inquiry process of communication for both physicians and patients. We aim to automate replies to inquiries as much as possible, while identifying urgent inquiries and advancing them in the queue. We report on the first two stages in our study: a questionnaire that was distributed to FPs and a design thinking workshop for FPs. These two stages enabled us to understand the FPs’ perceptions and define requirements for enhancing the existing inquiry system. Communication between family physicians (FPs) and patients via digital inquiries has become a widespread practice, often replacing physical meetings and phone calls. Studies around the world have shown the importance of digital communication alongside FP frustration and burnout as well as patient dissatisfaction. This study aims to examine and map existing types of inquiries and typical responses to those inquiries. In addition, we study FPs’ perceptions and barriers regarding digital communication in current inquiry systems, and how such communication can be improved. This is a preliminary study in preparation for a follow-up study that will deepen the analysis towards the design of a technological solution aimed at streamlining the inquiry process of communication for both physicians and patients. We aim to automate responses to inquiries as much as possible, while identifying urgent inquiries and advancing them in the queue. We report on the first two stages in our study: a questionnaire that was distributed to FPs and a design thinking workshop for FPs. Both of these stages enabled us to understand the FPs’ perceptions and define requirements for enhancing the current inquiry system.
Generic Requirements for Inclusive Healthcare Software: Supporting Older Adults and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Ita Richardson, Bilal Ahmad, Muneef Alshammari, Owen Doody, Sarah Beecham, Shweta Premanandan, Sofia Ouhbi and Åsa Cajander.
Abstract: As healthcare technology advances, it is important to ensure that everyone benefits from healthcare software, regardless of age or ability. That is why our research team has been working to identify and encapsulate the unique needs of two groups when developing software systems: older adults and people with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through our research, we have developed design patterns that software engineers can use to create more usable healthcare software to support these groups. These patterns identify the generic requirements for usability including accessibility, crucial for creating software that meets the needs of marginalised populations. In this paper, we describe the steps we undertook to identify and develop these requirements. We discover many overlapping needs of these two cohorts. Our research aims to benefit older adults and people with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities and improve the lives of many others facing similar challenges. As we expand our research to other cohorts, we will be able to identify additional generic requirements that make healthcare software development more inclusive and effective.
Supporting Reflection on Medication Adherence: Eliminating a Blind Spot in our Rearview Mirror
Maybins Lengwe, Jens Weber, Charles Perin and Morgan Price.
Abstract: Prescription medications are a vital form of medical intervention. About two thirds of adults in Canada and the U.S. have prescribed medications and statistics in comparable countries are similar. It is not uncommon, in particular for older adults, to be on multiple prescriptions at the same time. The safety and effectiveness of medication-based interventions requires that patients adhere to their prescriptions. Improving adherence has been identified as a challenge (and opportunity) to increase health and wellbeing. Among the many factors that may impact adherence (including socio-economic status) are forgetfulness, unwanted side-effects, perceived lack of benefit, lifestyle conflicts, and more. The ability to reflect on past behaviours has been recognized a potential enabler for optimizing adherence. Unfortunately, reflection is not well supported by current tools and technologies and mainly relies on patient recollection and crude methods like pill counting. The CHAOS (Collaborative Health Adherence Optimization System) project seeks to eliminate this “blind spot”. This paper reports on the requirements for reflection views elicited in this project and a prototype design of a reflection tool.
Vision: Opportunities and Challenges of Requirements Engineering in Aged Care
Anuradha Madugalla, John Grundy, Jennifer McIntosh and Truyen Tran.
Abstract: Technology can play a key role in enabling the aged care system to provide better care for the older adults. In the past few years we have collaborated with several industry partners with over 10 years of experience in working on the field of aged care. Some of these operate and maintain aged care facilities, and some provide technological solutions to aged care providers. These collaborations involved extensive requirement elicitation to identify the needs of aged care residents, carers, clinical staff and facility administrators. These resulted in several potential new development and existing product enhancement projects, but also several failed or abandoned projects. Our experiences have highlighted a number of opportunities, and exposed many significant challenges, for requirements engineering in the aged care software domain that must be addressed. We report on our lessons learned working with a variety of organisations and on different projects, including data analysis, user interface, mobile apps, workforce training, and smart homes.
Integrating the voice of health care workers in requirements elicitation: a balance between rigor and relevance
Yasaman Gheidar, Lysanne Lessard and Yao Yao.
Abstract: Peer support programs (PSPs) are a recognized type of intervention to help healthcare workers (HCWs) mitigate burnout. These programs are increasingly being delivered using information and communication technologies. While technology-enabled PSPs bring advantages such as facilitated access, challenges related to communication, perceived safety and engagement are hindering their effectiveness. We conceptualize these challenges as being rooted in a lack of interpersonal and technology-related trust and investigate how technologies used for enabling PSPs could be designed to enhance trust. We propose to identify the meta-requirements and principles that could guide the design of peer support system (PSS) to meet our objectives. This research is guided by a design science research methodology that provides principles and a process to move from guiding theories and frameworks of trust, to meta-requirements and design principles in a rigorous manner. We complement this methodology by integrating a prototyping approach that allows iterating on this process through the involvement of HCWs, thereby ensuring the relevance of results. The approach taken for this study could also provide insights for future research in the domain of wellbeing and health that aims at identifying requirements that are both user-centered and generalizable to a class of systems.