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Deverell L, Bhowmik J, Al Mahmud A, Lau BT, Islam FMA, Sukunesan S, McCarthy C, Meyer D. Self-reported use of technology by orientation and mobility clients in Australia and Malaysia before the COVID-19 pandemic. Br J Vis Impair 2023; 41:33-48. [PMID: 38602998 PMCID: PMC8185563 DOI: 10.1177/02646196211019070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Since the 1960s, many electronic travel aids have been developed for people with low vision or blindness to improve their independent travel skills, but uptake of these specialist devices has been limited. This study investigated what technologies orientation and mobility (O&M) clients in Australia and Malaysia have, use, like, and want to support their travel, to inform technology research and development. This two-phase mixed-methods study surveyed O&M clients face-to-face in Malaysia (n = 9), and online in Australia (n = 50). Participants managed safe walking using a human guide, long cane, or guide dog when their vision was insufficient to see hazards, but a smartphone is now a standard travel aid in both Australia and Malaysia. Participants relied on smartphone accessibility features and identified 108 apps they used for travel: for planning (e.g., public transport timetables), sourcing information in transit (e.g., GPS location and directions, finding a taxi), sensory conversion (e.g., camera-to-voice, voice-to-text, video-to-live description), social connections (e.g., phone, email, Facebook), food (e.g., finding eateries, ordering online), and entertainment (e.g., music, games). They wanted to 'carry less junk', and sought better accessibility features, consistency across platforms, and fast, reliable, real-time information that supports confident, non-visual travel, especially into unfamiliar places.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lil Deverell
- Lil Deverell, Department of Statistics,
Data Science and Epidemiology, Swinburne University of Technology, John St,
Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Denny Meyer
- Swinburne University of Technology,
Australia
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Chai CWE, Lau BT, Tee MKT, Al Mahmud A. Evaluating a serious game to improve childhood cancer patients' treatment adherence. Digit Health 2022; 8:20552076221134457. [PMID: 36339903 PMCID: PMC9630903 DOI: 10.1177/20552076221134457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Childhood cancer patients need to have good treatment adherence.
Unfortunately, treatment non-adherence often occurs due to high side-effect
burdens of treatment and the lack of knowledge of one's illness and
treatment. Therefore, a serious game intervention based on the Protection
Motivation Theory (PMT) was designed and developed to motivate childhood
cancer patients to undergo treatment and to motivate them to undergo
treatment, perform daily self-care and educate them about their illness. Methods Childhood cancer patients (6–17 years old) and their caregivers were
recruited in a multi-centre, single-arm intervention in Malaysia. A total of
24 child-caregiver dyads have completed the study. This study used PMT-based
surveys to collect quantitative data regarding children's motivation to
adhere to treatment and perform daily self-care. Additionally, a 20-question
multiple-choice quiz was used to determine children's knowledge levels.
These surveys were conducted pre-test and post-test. Children's and
caregivers' feedback were also gathered post-test as qualitative data. Results The results showed that overall, the children's intention to undergo cancer
treatment had increased significantly. A significant increase in the
intention to perform daily self-care was found among younger children, while
older children showed significant improvement in their cancer knowledge
levels. The post-test feedback suggested that the game was liked by both
children and caregivers and it provided various benefits to children with
cancer. Conclusions Findings suggest that the intervention has the potential to improve childhood
cancer patients’ motivation for treatment adherence and daily self-care, in
addition to educating them about cancer and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Wang Er Chai
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology -
Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia,Carmen Chai, Swinburne University of
Technology Sarawak Campus, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
;
| | - Bee Theng Lau
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology -
Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Mark Kit Tsun Tee
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology -
Sarawak Campus, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Abdullah Al Mahmud
- School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of
Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Deverell L, Bhowmik J, Lau BT, Al Mahmud A, Sukunesan S, Islam FMA, McCarthy C, Meyer D. Use of technology by orientation and mobility professionals in Australia and Malaysia before COVID-19. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2020; 17:260-267. [PMID: 32643468 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1785565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Orientation and Mobility (O&M) professionals teach people with low vision or blindness to use specialist assistive technologies to support confident travel, but many O&M clients now prefer a smartphone. This study aimed to investigate what technology O&M professionals in Australia and Malaysia have, use, like, and want to support their client work, to inform the development of O&M technologies and build capacity in the international O&M profession. MATERIALS AND METHODS A technology survey was completed by professionals (n = 36) attending O&M workshops in Malaysia. A revised survey was completed online by O&M specialists (n = 31) primarily in Australia. Qualitative data about technology use came from conferences, workshops and interviews with O&M professionals. Descriptive statistics were analysed together with free-text data. RESULTS Limited awareness of apps used by clients, unaffordability of devices, and inadequate technology training discouraged many O&M professionals from employing existing technologies in client programmes or for broader professional purposes. Professionals needed to learn smartphone accessibility features and travel-related apps, and ways to use technology during O&M client programmes, initial professional training, ongoing professional development and research. CONCLUSIONS Smartphones are now integral to travel with low vision or blindness and early-adopter O&M clients are the travel tech-experts. O&M professionals need better initial training and then regular upskilling in mainstream O&M technologies to expand clients' travel choices. COVID-19 has created an imperative for technology laggards to upskill for O&M tele-practice. O&M technology could support comprehensive O&M specialist training and practice in Malaysia, to better serve O&M clients with complex needs.Implications for rehabilitationMost orientation and mobility (O&M) clients are travelling with a smartphone, so O&M specialists need to be abreast of mainstream technologies, accessibility features and apps used by clients for orientation, mobility, visual efficiency and social engagement.O&M specialists who are technology laggards need human-guided support to develop confidence in using travel technologies, and O&M clients are the experts. COVID-19 has created an imperative to learn skills for O&M tele-practice.Affordability is a significant barrier to O&M professionals and clients accessing specialist travel technologies in Malaysia, and to O&M professionals upgrading technology in Australia.Comprehensive training for O&M specialists is needed in Malaysia to meet the travel needs of clients with low vision or blindness who also have physical, cognitive, sensory or mental health complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lil Deverell
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Jahar Bhowmik
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Bee Theng Lau
- Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Abdullah Al Mahmud
- Centre for Design Innovation, School of Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Suku Sukunesan
- Swinburne Business School, Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Fakir M Amirul Islam
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Chris McCarthy
- School of Software and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Denny Meyer
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
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Deverell L, Meyer D, Lau BT, Al Mahmud A, Sukunesan S, Bhowmik J, Chai A, McCarthy C, Zheng P, Pipingas A, Islam FMA. Optimising technology to measure functional vision, mobility and service outcomes for people with low vision or blindness: protocol for a prospective cohort study in Australia and Malaysia. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e018140. [PMID: 29273657 PMCID: PMC5770903 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists assess the functional vision and O&M skills of people with mobility problems, usually relating to low vision or blindness. There are numerous O&M assessment checklists but no measures that reduce qualitative assessment data to a single comparable score suitable for assessing any O&M client, of any age or ability, in any location. Functional measures are needed internationally to align O&M assessment practices, guide referrals, profile O&M clients, plan appropriate services and evaluate outcomes from O&M programmes (eg, long cane training), assistive technology (eg, hazard sensors) and medical interventions (eg, retinal implants). This study aims to validate two new measures of functional performance vision-related outcomes in orientation and mobility (VROOM) and orientation and mobility outcomes (OMO) in the context of ordinary O&M assessments in Australia, with cultural comparisons in Malaysia, also developing phone apps and online training to streamline professional assessment practices. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This multiphase observational study will employ embedded mixed methods with a qualitative/quantitative priority: corating functional vision and O&M during social inquiry. Australian O&M agencies (n=15) provide the sampling frame. O&M specialists will use quota sampling to generate cross-sectional assessment data (n=400) before investigating selected cohorts in outcome studies. Cultural relevance of the VROOM and OMO tools will be investigated in Malaysia, where the tools will inform the design of assistive devices and evaluate prototypes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch modelling, cluster analysis and analysis of variance will be undertaken along with descriptive analysis of measurement data. Qualitative findings will be used to interpret VROOM and OMO scores, filter statistically significant results, warrant their generalisability and identify additional relevant constructs that could also be measured. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been granted by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Swinburne University (SHR Project 2016/316). Dissemination of results will be via agency reports, journal articles and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lil Deverell
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
- Client Services, Guide Dogs Victoria, Kew, Australia
| | - Denny Meyer
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Bee Theng Lau
- Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Abdullah Al Mahmud
- Centre for Design Innovation, School of Design, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Suku Sukunesan
- Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Jahar Bhowmik
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Almon Chai
- Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Chris McCarthy
- School of Software and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Pan Zheng
- Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia
| | - Andrew Pipingas
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Fakir M Amirul Islam
- Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
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