title: Specification of an integrated information architecture for a mobile teleoperated robot for home telecare.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to design effectively integrated information architecture for a mobile teleoperated robot in remote assistance to the delivery of home health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three role classes were identified related to the deployment of a telerobot, namely, engineer, technology integrator, and health professional. Patients and natural caregivers were indirectly considered, this being a component of future field studies. Interviewing representatives of each class provided the functions, and information content and flows for each function. Interview transcripts enabled the formulation of UML (Universal Modeling Language) diagrams for feedback from participants. The proposed information architecture was validated with a use-case scenario.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The integrated information architecture incorporates progressive design, ergonomic integration, and the home care needs from medical specialist, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social worker care perspectives. The integrated architecture iterative process promoted insight among participants. The use-case scenario evaluation showed the design's robustness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complex innovation such as a telerobot must coherently mesh with health-care service delivery needs. The deployment of integrated information architecture bridging development, with specialist and home care applications, is necessary for home care technology innovation. It enables continuing evolution of robot and novel health information design in the same integrated architecture, while accounting for patient ecological need.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Anesthesia , Royal Victoria Hospital , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iannuzzi
authors.affiliation: b Collaborative Research for Effective Diagnostics (CRED) , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: c FMSS Département de réadaptation , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Corriveau
authors.affiliation: d FMSS Département de chirurgie , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boissy
authors.affiliation: e FAC. GÉNIE Électrique et informatique (études) , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michaud
mesh_terms: D003199:Computer Systems; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D012371:Robotics; D017216:Telemedicine
keywords: Clinical information system; elderly autonomy; information architecture; robotic applications; robotics; telehealth