Join us for an MSc thesis defence of Bjarki Freyr Rúnarsson on his thesis, Design and Development of a Digital Health Artifact for Parents of Preterm or Sick Neonates.

Defence Committee

• Main Supervisor: Stefán Ólafsson, Assitant Professor, Reykjavik University.
• Co-Supervisor: Anna Sigríður Islind, dósent, HR Rakel Björg Jónsdóttir, lektor, HÍ.
• Committee members: Naizeth Núñez Macías, PhD candidate, HR; Lisa Schmitz, PhD, postdoc, HR.

Abstract

Background:
Digital transformation has significantly impacted healthcare practices, with innovations that enhance care processes, communication, and patient outcomes. However, many units, such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Iceland, remain reliant on traditional, analog methods for gathering and monitoring data from parents.

Objective:
To empower parents and nurses at the NICU in Iceland by introducing a digital health artifact that enables better tracking and visualization of data and enhances better collaboration between parents and nurses. 

Method:
The research followed an iterative process with three phases. First, we gathered requirements informally and developed an initial prototype, which we showed to nurses to gather feedback. The second phase refined the prototype based on that feedback and feedback gathered through focus group sessions with nurses and parents. Finally, we conducted a usability study with parents at the NICU before integrating the artifact into processes at the NICU and presented the artifact to the unit to support adoption. Results: In the first phase the prototype had the core features implemented that were gathered from requirements. The second phase brought insights into the usability of the artifact which led to enhanced materials and refinements to the artifact. In the final phase, the usability study had good reception but low usage, attributed to limited visibility for nurses. Integrating it into NICU workflows shows the potential to streamline processes and empower nurses and parents. 

Conclusion:
This study gives insight into how digital health artifacts can help with challenges at the NICU, empowering parents and nurses. The iterative process of collaborating directly with the nurses and parents is critical to creating a tool that serves their needs. It also provides insights into the challenges of integrating a new tool into a larger infrastructure.