Web-based auditory self-training system for adult and elderly users of hearing aids.

INTRODUCTION: Adults and elderly users of hearing aids suffer psychosocial reactions as a result of hearing loss. Auditory rehabilitation is typically carried out with support from a speech therapist, usually in a clinical center. For these cases, there is a lack of computer-based self-training tools for minimizing the psychosocial impact of hearing deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a web-based auditory self-training system for adult and elderly users of hearing aids. METHODS: Two modules were developed for the web system: an information module based on guidelines for using hearing aids; and an auditory training module presenting a sequence of training exercises for auditory abilities along the lines of the auditory skill steps within auditory processing. We built aweb system using PHP programming language and a MySQL database .from requirements surveyed through focus groups that were conducted by healthcare information technology experts. The web system was evaluated by speech therapists and hearing aid users. An initial sample of 150 patients at DSA/HRAC/USP was defined to apply the system with the inclusion criteria that: the individuals should be over the age of 25 years, presently have hearing impairment, be a hearing aid user, have a computer and have internet experience. They were divided into two groups: a control group (G1) and an experimental group (G2). These patients were evaluated clinically using the HHIE for adults and HHIA for elderly people, before and after system implementation. A third web group was formed with users who were invited through social networks for their opinions on using the system. A questionnaire evaluating hearing complaints was given to all three groups. The study hypothesis considered that G2 would present greater auditory perception, higher satisfaction and fewer complaints than G1 after the auditory training. It was expected that G3 would have fewer complaints regarding use and acceptance of the system. RESULTS: The web system, which was named SisTHA portal, was finalized, rated by experts and hearing aid users and approved for use. The system comprised auditory skills training along five lines: discrimination; recognition; comprehension and temporal sequencing; auditory closure; and cognitive-linguistic and communication strategies. Users needed to undergo auditory training over a minimum period of 1 month: 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day. Comparisons were made between G1 and G2 and web system use by G3. CONCLUSION: The web system developed was approved for release to hearing aid users. It is expected that the self-training will help improve effective use of hearing aids, thereby decreasing their rejection.

The Collaborative Coordination of Special Interest Groups on the Telemedicine University Network (RUTE) in Brazil.

In Brazil the Telemedicine University Network (Rede Universitária de Telemedicina RUTE) is an initiative that among others promotes collaboration between university hospitals, universities, and health professionals through information technology infrastructure and special interest groups (SIGs) support. This paper presents results of analyses on collaboration during implementation and coordination activities of RUTE SIGs. This study is based on descriptive statistics and data visualization previously collected by RUTE national coordination relative to the status in July 2014. The analysis through collaboration graph identified the strongest collaboration RUTE units. The graph also highlights the collaborative relationship of RUTE units in form of communities, the most collaborative with each other in a communion in the same SIGs, and the less the collaborative units in the network. It should be stated that the most active units are also the oldest in the community.

Non-Integrated Information and Communication Technologies in the Kidney Transplantation Process in Brazil.

The entire kidney transplantation process in Brazil is defined through laws, decrees, ordinances, and resolutions, but there is no defined theoretical map describing this process. From this representation it's possible to perform analysis, such as the identification of bottlenecks and information and communication technologies (ICTs) that support this process. The aim of this study was to analyze and represent the kidney transplantation workflow using business process modeling notation (BPMN) and then to identify the ICTs involved in the process. This study was conducted in eight steps, including document analysis and professional evaluation. The results include the BPMN model of the kidney transplantation process in Brazil and the identification of ICTs. We discovered that there are great delays in the process due to there being many different ICTs involved, which can cause information to be poorly integrated.

Consumer Health Vocabulary: A Proposal for a Brazilian Portuguese Language.

Studies show a gap between the expressions commonly used by health consumers and health professionals. To bridge this gap, consumer health vocabularies are presented as a solution. The aim of this paper is to describe an on-going project to create a consumer health vocabulary (CHV) in the Brazilian Portuguese language. This project will be developed in three phases: terms extraction and connection to compose a CHV graph structure, human validation, and computacional application development. We expect to make a CHV beta version (including approximately 5,000 valid consumer terms stored in a database graph) available. This project can contribute to the improvement of CHVs.

Avaliação dos serviços descentralizados de reabilitação física direcionados aos portadores de deficiência no Estado de Alagoas / Evaluation of quality of decentralized services of physical rehabilitation directed to the disabled persons in Alagoas State

Objetivo: Avaliar os serviços descentralizados de reabilitação física direcionados aos portadores de deficiência à luz da portaria GM/MS nº818/2001, considerando-se também a percepção dos profissionais e usuários sobre os referidos serviços. Participaram 5 serviços de reabilitação, 10 profissionais e 42 usuários. Método: Utilizou-se um formulário estruturado, contendo 67 itens da portaria, 21 itens foram apontados pelos profissionais e uma pergunta foi realizada aos usuários sobre a qualidade do serviço. Elaborou-se um ranking de classificação entre os serviços de reabilitação. Resultados: Verificou-se que 100% dos serviços possuem uma classificação regular considerando a portaria e 80% dos profissionais consideraram o serviço que atuam como regular. A qualidade dos serviços foi ?muito boa? na opinião dos usuários. Existe uma relação entre os itens apontados na portaria ministerial e a opinião dos profissionais dos serviços Conclusão: A implantação dos serviços de reabilitação física no estado de Alagoas parece ser favorável, em especial na opinião dos usuários.

Objective: To evaluate the physical rehabilitation of decentralized services targeted to people with disabilities in light of the ordinance GM / MS n º 818/2001, considering also the perception of professionals and users of those services. 5 attended rehabilitation services, 10 professional and 42 users. Method: We used a structured form, containing 67 items of the ordinance, 21 items were raised by professionals and a question was held to users on the quality of serviço. Elaborou is a classification ranking between the departments of rehabilitation. Results: It was found that 100% of services have a regular classification considering the ordinance and 80% of the respondents considered the service that act as regular. The quality of services was ?very good? in the opinion of the users. Is there a relationship between the items listed by the ministry and opinions of service professionals Conclusion: The implementation of physical rehabilitation services in the state of Alagoas seems to be favorable, particularly in view of the users.