Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare > Volume 14, Number 2 > Pp. 79-82

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Savolainen, L. Articles by Gustavsson, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

RESEARCH Original article

An Internet-based videoconferencing system for supporting frail elderly people and their carers

Liina Savolainen ^* , Elizabeth Hanson  , Lennart Magnusson   and Tomas Gustavsson ^*

^* Department of Signals and Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg; ÄldreVäst Sjuhärad Research Centre, University College of Borås, Borås; Department of Human Sciences, University of Kalmar, Kalmar; Department of Health Sciences, University College of Borås, Borås, Sweden

Correspondence: Liina Savolainen, Department of Signals and System, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Göteborg, Sweden (Fax: +46 31 772 1748; Email: liina.savolainen{at}s2.chalmers.se)

The ACTION project uses information and communication technology to support frail elderly people and their family carers. The aims are to enhance their quality of life, independence and preparedness and to break social isolation. A videoconferencing system, connecting homes and a call centre, was used in a pilot study in 1997–2002. A re-designed system was brought into use in late 2004 and over 60 new units were introduced during the first six months. The new system was evaluated with an interview study and by data logging. Eight family users and four professional carers were interviewed. The family users had used the videophone at least six times and they had had the equipment at home for at least two months. The average number of initiated calls per user was 5.7 per month and the average call time per user was 40 min per month. Seven of the users (88%) reported that the system very much reduced their sense of loneliness and isolation. The results of the evaluation were encouraging. There were several frequent users of videoconferencing. System quality was acceptable although a shorter audio delay would be desirable. The system was used regularly by the participants and it fulfilled its purpose.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J E. Nieves, L. S Godleski, K. M Stack, and T. Zinanni Videophones for intensive case management of psychiatric outpatients J Telemed Telecare, January 1, 2009; 15(1): 51 - 54. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Bensink, N. Armfield, H. Irving, A. Hallahan, D. Theodoros, T. Russell, A. Barnett, P. Scuffham, and R. Wootton A pilot study of videotelephone-based support for newly diagnosed paediatric oncology patients and their families J Telemed Telecare, September 1, 2008; 14(6): 315 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]