Kim Bul, Nikki Holliday, Paul Magee and Petra Wark
This viewpoint paper provides an overview of lessons learnt throughout the whole cycle of development to exploitation of digital solutions in health and wellbeing settings. This…
Abstract
Purpose
This viewpoint paper provides an overview of lessons learnt throughout the whole cycle of development to exploitation of digital solutions in health and wellbeing settings. This paper aims to address learnings that can be applied to all digital health technologies, including assistive technologies, apps, wearables, medical devices and serious games.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the knowledge and experiences of working within a multidisciplinary team, the authors discuss lessons learnt through research and consultancy projects in digital health and translate these into pragmatic suggestions and recommendations.
Findings
Firstly, the importance of collaborating and co-creating with multidisciplinary stakeholders and end users throughout the whole project lifecycle is emphasised. Secondly, digital health solutions are not a means to an end, nor a panacea; decisions should be evidence-based and needs-driven. Thirdly, whenever possible, research designs and tools need to be more adaptive and personalised. Fourthly, the use of a mixed-method system approach and continuous evaluation throughout the project’s lifecycle is recommended to build up the evidence base. Fifthly, to ensure successful exploitation and implementation, a business case and timely bottom-up approach is recommended. Finally, to prevent research waste, it is our shared responsibility to collaborate with existing consortia and create an awareness of existing solutions and approaches.
Originality/value
In conclusion, collaborating in the field of digital health offered insights into how to be more purposeful and effective in development, evaluation and exploitation of digital health solutions. Moving this diverse and dynamic field forward is challenging but will contribute to greater long-term impact on society.
Details
Keywords
Abdulfattah Yaghi and Nizar Alabed
The study adapted the Career Decision Making Difficulties Questionnaire for the Arab world. The purpose of the study was to test a popular but scientifically unverified belief…
Abstract
Purpose
The study adapted the Career Decision Making Difficulties Questionnaire for the Arab world. The purpose of the study was to test a popular but scientifically unverified belief that people who were employed could experience less CDD.
Design/methodology/approach
Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire was administered to a sample of 500 university students to analyze CDD among full-time and part-time students and examine whether employment status determines to what extent they experience these difficulties. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used.
Findings
Employment status had no statistically significant effect on students' perceptions of CDD; 6 demographic variables were significantly correlated with CDD (gender, age, income, university grade-point average, satisfaction with the current major and social status); and students had dysfunctional beliefs about the career decision-making process, lack self-awareness, and had inconsistent information about internal and external difficulties.
Research limitations/implications
Universities should design adequate career interventions before and after graduation and employers should implement human resource policies that reduce CDD and their negative impact on the workplace. Other methods of data collection and analysis could also be useful in the future, such as interviews. While scope of the study was acceptable, comparing countries and public versus private institutions could produce valuable findings.
Practical implications
The study tested and validated ACDDQ which could be used as diagnostic instrument to design career interventions and training programs. Employers need to allocate resources in the recruitment process to help potential recruits to understand the nature of work, processes, and requirements. Educators need to provide better coaching and career education for students, especially those in senior years.
Social implications
Understanding career decision-making difficulties and factors that influence them will influence long-term human resource management, especially productivity, turn over and job satisfaction.
Originality/value
The study examined the important issue of difficulties in making career decisions among two groups of university students. With more employees go back to college for more education, it was not clear in the literature how career decisions might differ between the two groups. The issue was under-researched, especially within Arab countries.