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Browsing by Author "Martinho, Ricardo"

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  • 2ARTs: A Platform for Exercise Prescriptions in Cardiac Recovery Patients
    Publication . Pereira, Andreia; Martinho, Ricardo; Pinto, Rui; Rijo, Rui; Grilo, Carlos
    Due to limited access, increasing costs and an ageing population, the global healthcare system faces significant coverage problems that call for innovative approaches. Health professionals are actively seeking alternative methods to provide care to an increasingly needy population, without increasing human effort and associated costs. eHealth platforms, which use technology to provide patient care, are emerging as transformative solutions for addressing these problems. This study is centered on the demand for a Decision Support System (DSS) in cardiology to enable doctors to prescribe individualized care inside Cardiac Rehabilitation Programmes (CRPs). The 2ARTs project’s main objective is to include a cardiac rehabilitation platform with a DSS within the hospital infrastructure. This DSS uses models to classify patients into different groups, delivering crucial information to assist with decisions regarding treatment. Regarding the DSS, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) emerged as a standout technique for dimensionality reduction, due to its interoperability with clustering algorithms and superior evaluation metrics. The most appropriate clustering technique was determined to be the K-means algorithm, which was supported by the experts analysis. In accordance with the goals of the 2ARTs project, this integration of PCA and K-means provides meaningful insights that improve reasoned decision-making.
    2024-03Conference object Restricted access Show more
  • Building Bridges for “Palliative Care-in-Place”: Development of a mHealth Intervention for Informal Home Care
    Publication . Laranjeira, Carlos; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos; Martinho, Ricardo; Rijo, Rui; Querido, Ana
    In Palliative Care (PC), family and close people are an essential part of provision of care. They assume highly complex tasks for which they are not prepared, with considerable physical, psychological, social and economic impact. Informal Caregivers (ICs) often falter in the final stage of life and develop distress, enhancing emotional burden and complicated grief. The lack of available and accessible in-person counselling resources is often reported by ICs. Online resources can promote early access to help and support for patient-IC dyads in palliative care. The primary aim of this research is to co-design, develop and test the feasibility of the Help2Care-PAL mHealth app that addresses the needs of ICs of palliative patients cared for at home. This Digital Health Intervention (DHI) in palliative care will be used for education, symptom management, communication and decision-making, to enhance Quality of Life (QoL) of patients and ICs, fostering anticipatory grief and the reach and efficiency of services.
    2022-03-25Journal article Open access Show more
  • CAPÍTULO III - PROMOVENDO COMPORTAMENTOS SAUDÁVEIS NA ADOLESCÊNCIA COM UMA APLICAÇÃO MÓVEL: O PROCESSO DE ILUSTRAÇÃO, DESIGN E GAMIFICAÇÃO.
    Publication . Reis, Catarina; Pernencar, Cláudia; Carvalho, Marta; Fragata, Nuno; Martinho, Ricardo; Alves, Rodrigo; Morais, Teresa
    o Projeto TeenPower adotou um conjunto de estratégias com o intuito de promover a solução de mHealth especialmente concebida para adolescentes. No sentido de divulgar, promover e envolver os adolescentes na utilização desta aplicação móvel foi necessário definir e seguir orientações de promoção que viabilizassem a utilização da aplicação. A imagem da marca TeenPower e o seu logotipo customizado foram utilizados em operações de marketing e divulgação junto dos adolescentes, numa perspetiva de gerar afinidade e identificação/reconhecimento com o projeto. Foram criadas ilustrações e grafismos específicos para adolescentes, no sentido de promover hábitos de vida saudáveis através de cartazes para impressão ou digitais especialmente concebidos para adolescentes. Este processo decorreu no âmbito de uma unidade curricular uC de Design e Composição Gráfica do curso de Ilustração e Produção Gráfica e envolveu todos os estudantes no sentido de lhes permitir experimentar com um caso real a temática da uC. Toda a experiência de utilização da aplicação móvel foi cuidadosamente concebida, validada e implementada, de forma incremental e continuada. A geração desta experiência de utilização foi merecedora de um estudo em 3 fases que apostou fortemente na realimentação do sistema recorrendo ao feedback obtido pelos utilizadores/avaliadores num determinado momento. o envolvimento de estudantes das áreas de design, enfermagem e engenharia permitiu tirar partido de uma equipa multidisciplinar que, conjuntamente com utilizadores adolescentes, concebeu a base de trabalho para a implementação descrita posteriormente na secção 3 do presente capítulo. Finalmente, e diretamente relacionado com o envolvimento continuado dos adolescentes surge a aposta na utilização de uma aplicação móvel. A gamificação foi uma das técnicas utilizadas, tanto na fase de conceção e desenho, como posteriormente, na fase de implementação. o grande objetivo foi conseguir manter os utilizadores envolvidos e dar uma resposta efetiva à redução da taxa de retenção dos utilizadores, da plataforma de mHealth TeenPower
    2019Book part Restricted access Show more
  • A Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Supported by mHealth Technology: The MOVIDA.eros Platform
    Publication . Silva, Emanuel; Rijo, Rui Pedro Charters Lopes; Martinho, Ricardo; Assunção, Pedro; Abreu Henriques Seco, Maria Alexandra; Fonseca-Pinto, Rui
    The cardiac rehabilitation backdrop in Portugal is lacking much-needed improvements in order to better serve patients with different heart conditions. Although the beneficial results of cardiac rehabilitation are widely acknowledged, it is not being implemented in an optimal way, with few rehabilitation centers irregularly distributed throughout the country. In this context, the opportunity arose to develop a project that would help to fill in this gap. MOVIDA.eros is an ongoing project aims to bring more people into cardiac rehabilitation programs and help physicians monitor their health anywhere they are. By using a mobile app and a web platform, the MOVIDA.eros project allows healthcare providers to be constantly connected to their patients and see whether they are following their recommendations and adhering to the program. In this paper, an overview will be provided on the current situation of cardiac rehabilitation programs in Portugal, including the main weaknesses and issues that should be addressed. The main features of both the mobile app and the web platform will also be discussed, as well as any challenges that might have come up during the development process.
    2018Journal article Open access Show more
  • A Clinical Decision Support System for Remote Monitoring of Cardiovascular Disease Patients: A Clinical Study Protocol
    Publication . Ventura, Filipa; Sousa, Pedro; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos; Ferreira, Paulo; Martinho, Ricardo; Dias, Sara Simões; Morais, João; Gonçalves, Lino M.
    Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17. 9 million lives each year. Cardiac rehabilitation is shown to reduce mortality and hospital readmissions, while improving physical fitness and quality of life. Despite the recommendations and proven benefits, acceptance and adherence remain low. Mobile health (mHealth) solutions may contribute to more personalized and tailored patient recommendations according to their specific needs. This study protocol aims to assess the effectiveness of a user-friendly, comprehensive Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for remote patient monitoring of CVD patients, primarily on the reduction of recurrent cardiovascular events. Methods and Analysis: The study will follow a multicenter randomized controlled design involving two cardiology units in the Center Region of Portugal. Prospective CVD patients will be approached by the healthcare staff at each unit and checked for eligibility according to the predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The CDSS will suggest a monitoring plan for the patient, will advise the mHealth tools (apps and wearables) adapted to patient needs, and will collect data. The clinical study will start in January 2023. Discussion: The success of the mHeart.4U intervention will be a step toward the use of technological interfaces as an integrating part of CR programs. Ethics and Dissemination: The study will undergo ethical revision by the Ethics Board of the two hospital units where the study will unfold. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on 18th January 2022 with the number NCT05196802. The study findings will be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and encounters and in a user-friendly manner to the society.
    2022-05-09Journal article Open access Show more
  • Controlled trial of an mHealth intervention to promote healthy behaviours in adolescence (TeenPower): Effectiveness analysis
    Publication . Miguel Lopes de Sousa, Pedro; Martinho, Ricardo; Reis, Catarina I.; Dias, Sara Simões; Gaspar, Pedro; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos; Luís, Luís; Ferreira, Regina
    Aim To evaluate the effectiveness on lifestyle change of an mHealth intervention to promote healthy behaviours in adolescence (TeenPower) and to analyse the predictors of the mHealth intervention effectiveness. Design This study is designed as a non‐randomized controlled trial with a two‐arm structure. Methods Adolescents of 12–16‐year old were recruited from three school districts, with access to the Internet and smartphone/tablet devices. The intervention group was invited to engage in the mHealth intervention (TeenPower) for 6 months in addition to a school‐based intervention. The control group only followed the school‐based intervention. A repeated measures factorial ANOVA was used and the main effectiveness outcome was the lifestyle change measured by the adolescent lifestyle profile. Results The outcomes of the mHealth intervention (TeenPower) show a significant effect on nutrition (ƞ2p = 0.03, p = .03), positive life perspective (ƞ2p = 0.04, p = .01), and global lifestyle (ƞ2p = 0.02, p = .05), with a dropout rate of 62.1%. The analysis of the effectiveness predictors of the mHealth intervention suggested that older adolescents tended to show a significant increase in the rates of stress management (r = .40; p < .05). Conclusions Although the considerable dropout rate, the mHealth intervention presented significant impact on multiple lifestyle domains, providing support for the effectiveness of mHealth interventions for health promotion as an add‐on to standard interdisciplinary interventions. Impact Adolescents must have the necessary and appropriate knowledge for the correct and responsible decision‐making regarding their health and lifestyle. Innovative strategies (mHealth intervention) were used to promote healthy behaviours. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention (TeenPower) specifically designed for adolescents. We found a significant impact in several lifestyle domains such as health responsibility, nutrition, positive life perspective, and global lifestyle.
    2020-01-08Journal article Open access Show more
  • Development of an mHealth Platform for Adolescent Obesity Prevention: User-Centered Design Approach
    Publication . Reis, Catarina I.; Pernencar, Cláudia; Carvalho, Marta; Gaspar, Pedro; Martinho, Ricardo; Frontini, Roberta; Alves, Rodrigo; Sousa, Pedro
    Obesity is a chronic condition that influences the quality of life of patients and families while increasing the economic burden for the world population. Multidisciplinary prevention programs are crucial to address it, allowing an early introduction of healthy behaviors into daily habits. Mobile health interventions provide adequate support for these programs, especially considering the gamification techniques used to promote users’ engagement. TeenPower is a multidisciplinary mHealth intervention program conducted in Portugal during 2018 to empower adolescents, promoting healthy behaviors while preventing obesity. An agile software development process was applied to the development of the digital platform that holds a web-based application and a mobile application. We also propose a model for future developments based on the user-centered design approach adopted for this development and the assessment conducted in each phase. The user-centered design approach model proposed has three distinct phases: (1) design study; (2) pre-production usability tests; and (3) post-production data. Phase 1 allowed us to obtain the high-fidelity version of the graphical user interfaces (n = 5). Phase 2 showed a task completion success rate of 100% (n = 5). Phase 3 was derived from statistical analysis of the usage of the platform by real end users (n = 90). We achieved an average retention rate of 35% (31 out of 90 participants). Each technique has provided input for the continuous design and improvement of the platform. This allowed the creation of a tailored platform that could meet users’ expectations. Nevertheless, the retention rate decreased significantly over a short period of time, revealing the need for further work in the improvement of the gamification experience.
    2022-10-01Journal article Open access Show more
  • Editorial: mHealth tools for patient empowerment and chronic disease management
    Publication . Sousa, Pedro; Martinho, Ricardo; Parreira, Pedro; Luo, Gang
    Modern societies are facing new healthcare challenges with the integration of digital health interventions as a part of their healthcare systems. However, the digital transformation of healthcare requires active patient engagement as a core component of healthcare interventions. In the case of chronic diseases, new digital tools are believed to help maintain and improve patient health and care, by optimizing the course of disease treatment. Indeed, facilitating access to quality health services and building the capacity to reduce risk are key priorities around the world. Nevertheless, health systems are facing unprecedented financial pressures at a time of growing demand for their services. Technology can help people use care services less by promoting healthier lives. Prompt advances in wearable sensor technologies and mobile communications could close the gap between home- and clinic-based care delivery models by linking accessibility, availability, and responsive, tailored clinical oversight. Digital health solutions can help democratize access to medical care. Even though mobile health (mHealth) tools are widely recognized as a promising resource capable of changing healthcare, additional research is needed to enhance knowledge about their limitations and benefits for chronic disease management and patient empowerment. Nota: Extrato retirado do corpo do artigo.
    2023-06-14Journal article Open access Show more
  • Enhancing business process flexibility in an emergency care process
    Publication . Mejri, Asma; Ghannouchi, Sonia Ayachi; Martinho, Ricardo; Elhadj, Feteh
    Business Process Management (BPM) is being increasingly adopted to streamline healthcare service delivery and management processes. Emergency departments (ED) are very complex. To operate effectively and create value, EDs must be flexible and have the ability to rapidly adapt to the highly variable needs of patients. In this paper, we provide models for a real-world scenario emergency care (EC) process, and elicit its flexibility needs using interviews with the EC process participants. We then use a guidance tool to help with the choice of the most suitable Business Process Management System (BPMS), regarding the flexibility needs elicited. We validate this choice by modelling the new flexibility enhanced EC process with one of the advised BPMSs, and analyse its support regarding the elicited flexibility needs.
    2016-06Conference paper Restricted access Show more
  • Evaluating the Reliability of Ambient-Assisted Living Business Processes
    Publication . Martinho, Ricardo; Domingos, Dulce; Respício, Ana
    Ambient-Assisted Living (AAL) systems provide a wide range of applications in order to improve the quality of life of patients. These systems commonly gather several components such as sensors, gateways, Information Systems or even actuators. Reliability of these components is of most importance, mainly due to the impact that a failure can have on a monitored patient. In spite of the existing reliability evaluations and countermeasures that can be associated with an AAL system component, we need to take into account the overall reliability for the several activities and interactions that exist between all the AAL system components, for each time a certain value is registered or a certain alert is triggered. In this paper, we propose a new approach to calculate the overall reliability of an AAL system. We take a Business Process Management (BPM) approach to model the activities and interactions between AAL components, using the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) standard. By extending the BPMN standard to include reliability information, we can derive the overall reliability value of a certain AAL BPMN process, and help healthcare managers to better allocate the appropriate resources (including hardware or health care professionals) to improve responsiveness of care to patients.
    2016Conference paper Open access Show more