Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis

BackgroundA primary concern for governments and health care systems is the rapid growth of the aging population. To provide a better quality of life for the elderly, researchers have explored the use of wearables, sensors, actuators, and mobile health technologies. The term AAL can be referred to as...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fadrique, Laura X, Rahman, Dia, Vaillancourt, Hélène, Boissonneault, Paul, Donovska, Tania, Morita, Plinio P
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2020-06-01
Series:JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Online Access:https://mhealth.jmir.org/2020/6/e15923
_version_ 1819273872715808768
author Fadrique, Laura X
Rahman, Dia
Vaillancourt, Hélène
Boissonneault, Paul
Donovska, Tania
Morita, Plinio P
author_facet Fadrique, Laura X
Rahman, Dia
Vaillancourt, Hélène
Boissonneault, Paul
Donovska, Tania
Morita, Plinio P
author_sort Fadrique, Laura X
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundA primary concern for governments and health care systems is the rapid growth of the aging population. To provide a better quality of life for the elderly, researchers have explored the use of wearables, sensors, actuators, and mobile health technologies. The term AAL can be referred to as active assisted living or ambient assisted living, with both sometimes used interchangeably. AAL technologies describes systems designed to improve the quality of life, aid in independence, and create healthier lifestyles for those who need assistance at any stage of their lives. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to understand the standards and policy guidelines that companies use in the creation of AAL technologies and to highlight the gap between available technologies, standards, and policies and what should be available for use. MethodsA literature review was conducted to identify critical standards and frameworks related to AAL. Interviews with 15 different stakeholders across Canada were carried out to complement this review. The results from interviews were coded using a thematic analysis and then presented in two workshops about standards, policies, and governance to identify future steps and opportunities regarding AAL. ResultsOur study showed that the base technology, standards, and policies necessary for the creation of AAL technology are not the primary problem causing disparity between existing and accessible technologies; instead nontechnical issues and integration between existing technologies present the most significant issue. A total of five themes have been identified for further analysis: (1) end user and purpose; (2) accessibility; (3) interoperability; (4) data sharing; and (5) privacy and security. ConclusionsInteroperability is currently the biggest challenge for the future of data sharing related to AAL technology. Additionally, the majority of stakeholders consider privacy and security to be the main concerns related to data sharing in the AAL scope. Further research is necessary to explore each identified gap in detail.
first_indexed 2024-12-23T22:59:26Z
format Article
id doaj.art-c7026a1e8f7649b39a6004e27ddba75a
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2291-5222
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-23T22:59:26Z
publishDate 2020-06-01
publisher JMIR Publications
record_format Article
series JMIR mHealth and uHealth
spelling doaj.art-c7026a1e8f7649b39a6004e27ddba75a2022-12-21T17:26:57ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR mHealth and uHealth2291-52222020-06-0186e1592310.2196/15923Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic AnalysisFadrique, Laura XRahman, DiaVaillancourt, HélèneBoissonneault, PaulDonovska, TaniaMorita, Plinio PBackgroundA primary concern for governments and health care systems is the rapid growth of the aging population. To provide a better quality of life for the elderly, researchers have explored the use of wearables, sensors, actuators, and mobile health technologies. The term AAL can be referred to as active assisted living or ambient assisted living, with both sometimes used interchangeably. AAL technologies describes systems designed to improve the quality of life, aid in independence, and create healthier lifestyles for those who need assistance at any stage of their lives. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to understand the standards and policy guidelines that companies use in the creation of AAL technologies and to highlight the gap between available technologies, standards, and policies and what should be available for use. MethodsA literature review was conducted to identify critical standards and frameworks related to AAL. Interviews with 15 different stakeholders across Canada were carried out to complement this review. The results from interviews were coded using a thematic analysis and then presented in two workshops about standards, policies, and governance to identify future steps and opportunities regarding AAL. ResultsOur study showed that the base technology, standards, and policies necessary for the creation of AAL technology are not the primary problem causing disparity between existing and accessible technologies; instead nontechnical issues and integration between existing technologies present the most significant issue. A total of five themes have been identified for further analysis: (1) end user and purpose; (2) accessibility; (3) interoperability; (4) data sharing; and (5) privacy and security. ConclusionsInteroperability is currently the biggest challenge for the future of data sharing related to AAL technology. Additionally, the majority of stakeholders consider privacy and security to be the main concerns related to data sharing in the AAL scope. Further research is necessary to explore each identified gap in detail.https://mhealth.jmir.org/2020/6/e15923
spellingShingle Fadrique, Laura X
Rahman, Dia
Vaillancourt, Hélène
Boissonneault, Paul
Donovska, Tania
Morita, Plinio P
Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis
JMIR mHealth and uHealth
title Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis
title_full Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis
title_fullStr Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis
title_short Overview of Policies, Guidelines, and Standards for Active Assisted Living Data Exchange: Thematic Analysis
title_sort overview of policies guidelines and standards for active assisted living data exchange thematic analysis
url https://mhealth.jmir.org/2020/6/e15923
work_keys_str_mv AT fadriquelaurax overviewofpoliciesguidelinesandstandardsforactiveassistedlivingdataexchangethematicanalysis
AT rahmandia overviewofpoliciesguidelinesandstandardsforactiveassistedlivingdataexchangethematicanalysis
AT vaillancourthelene overviewofpoliciesguidelinesandstandardsforactiveassistedlivingdataexchangethematicanalysis
AT boissonneaultpaul overviewofpoliciesguidelinesandstandardsforactiveassistedlivingdataexchangethematicanalysis
AT donovskatania overviewofpoliciesguidelinesandstandardsforactiveassistedlivingdataexchangethematicanalysis
AT moritapliniop overviewofpoliciesguidelinesandstandardsforactiveassistedlivingdataexchangethematicanalysis