Specification of an integrated information architecture for a mobile teleoperated robot for home telecare

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to design effectively integrated information architecture for a mobile teleoperated robot in remote assistance to the delivery of home health care. Methods: Three role classes were identified related to the deployment of a telerobot, namely, engineer, technology integrator, and health professional. Patients and natural caregivers were indirectly considered, this being a component of future field studies. Interviewing representatives of each class provided the functions, and information content and flows for each function. Interview transcripts enabled the formulation of UML (Universal Modeling Language) diagrams for feedback from participants. The proposed information architecture was validated with a use-case scenario. Results: The integrated information architecture incorporates progressive design, ergonomic integration, and the home care needs from medical specialist, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social worker care perspectives. The integrated architecture iterative process promoted insight among participants. The use-case scenario evaluation showed the design’s robustness. Conclusions: Complex innovation such as a telerobot must coherently mesh with health-care service delivery needs. The deployment of integrated information architecture bridging development, with specialist and home care applications, is necessary for home care technology innovation. It enables continuing evolution of robot and novel health information design in the same integrated architecture, while accounting for patient ecological need.

KEYWORDS:

• Clinical information system
• elderly autonomy
• information architecture
• robotic applications
• robotics
• telehealth

Acknowledgments

All authors have contributed to the following: (1) the conception and design of the study or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; (2) drafting the article or revising it crtitically for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of the version to be submitted.

Declaration of interest

There are no conflicts of interest to report.

Funding

This work was supported in part by the Canadian Institute for Health (CIHR) under Grant Nos. 120591 and 133456, the Canada Research Chair (held by F. Michaud), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Université de Sherbrooke.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by the Canadian Institute for Health (CIHR) under Grant Nos. 120591 and 133456, the Canada Research Chair (held by F. Michaud), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Université de Sherbrooke.