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Item type: Publication , Access status: Metadata only , Applying an integrated approach to the design, implementation and evaluation of a telemedicine system.(2013-04-24) Hansen, Susan K; Wilson, Laurence S; Robertson, ToniTelemedicine evaluations are usually decoupled from other aspects of design and implementation, and therefore not considered until late in the project cycle. In addition to this, evaluations are often performed by outside bodies without an interest in the outcome, a practice intended to strengthen the independence and objectivity of the findings. In this paper, we describe an alternative approach in which the design, implementation and evaluation of a telemedicine system were considered to be complementary stages of the project occurring in parallel and where members of the project team were involved in all three. We demonstrate the advantages of this approach through the ECHONET project - a trial of an experimental system implemented in the context of Intensive Care across two hospitals in Tasmania, Australia. This paper describes benefits associated with this integrated approach. Innovative aspects of the approach include the number of pre-implementation activities such as stakeholder interviews, design workshops and a baseline study, which enabled the project to adapt to the complex needs of its health context. The integration of the design, implementation and evaluation activities enabled the project to adapt to changing needs as the project evolved, and ensured that it was evaluated against appropriate criteria.Item type: Publication , Access status: Metadata only , Using an Action Research approach to design a telemedicine system for critical care: A reflection(2008) Hansen, Susan; Robertson, Toni; Wilson, Laurie; Hall, RalphThis paper reflects on the Action Research approach adopted in the design of the ECHONET (EchoCardiographic Healthcare Online Networking Expertise in Tasmania) system - a telemedicine system developed by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) Australia to facilitate the sharing of expertise and services between the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of a major tertiary hospital and a remote hospital in Tasmania, Australia. The baseline study within this project has been used to evaluate the ways in which the Action Research approach influenced the project directions and its success, allowing the project team to better tailor the system to the clinicians' needs and deal with the unanticipated complications that are common in health projects.Item type: Publication , Access status: Metadata only , Living lab methodology as an approach to innovation in ICT4D: The Siyakhula Living Lab experience(2012) Gumbo, Sibukele; Thinyane, Hannah; Thinyane, Mamello; Terzoli, Alfredo; Hansen, SusanUnderdevelopment and poverty represent key challenges faced by the modern world, which have attracted the attention of NGOs, civil society, government and multinationals. Various undertakings including the United Nations Millennium Development Goals articulation and the World Summit on Information Society highlight the global commitment towards addressing these problems. The solutions to these problems should be derived out of well-str uctured innovation systems that take into consideration the grassroot context and c oncerns. A number of innovation models have been formulated and utilized effectivel y in different industries, and some of these have equally been used effectively in community development contexts. This paper elaborates on the Living Lab m ethodology and its application in ICT4D contexts, highlighting the effectiveness of t his model towards integrating end-users within their problem solving effort. This is discussed through the backdrop of the Siyakhula Living Lab, an ICT4D intervention. The embedding environment for this model, which enables key synergies with ot her stakeholders, is also discussed .Item type: Publication , Access status: Restricted , Quantum Memory Optimisation Using Finite-Horizon, Decoherence Time and Discounted Mean-Square Performance Criteria(International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC), 2026-08-23) Vladimirov, Igor; Petersen, Ian; Shi, GuodongThis paper is concerned with open quantum memory systems for approximately retaining quantum information, such as initial dynamic variables or quantum states to be stored over a bounded time interval. In the Heisenberg picture of quantum dynamics, the deviation of the system variables from their initial values lends itself to closed-form computation in terms of tractable moment dynamics for open quantum harmonic oscillators and finite-level quantum systems governed by linear or quasi-linear Hudson-Parthasarathy quantum stochastic differential equations, respectively. This tractability is used in a recently proposed optimality criterion for varying the system parameters so as to maximise the memory decoherence time when the mean-square deviation achieves a given critical threshold. The memory decoherence time maximisation approach is extended beyond the previously considered low-threshold asymptotic approximation and to Schroedinger type mean-square deviation functionals for the reduced system state governed by the Lindblad master equation. We link this approach with the minimisation of the mean-square deviation functionals at a finite time horizon and with their discounted version which quantifies the averaged performance of the quantum system as a temporary memory under a Poisson flow of storage requests.Item type: Publication , Access status: Metadata only , Using mobile phones for rapid reporting of zoonotic diseases in rural South Africa(IOS Press, 2010) Thinyane, Hannah; Hansen, Susan; Foster, Greg; Wilson, LaurieHuman health is inextricably linked to animal health and production, particularly in developing regions of the world where animals play an important role in communities by providing transportation and food. Many deaths occur each year from a number of well-known and preventable animal diseases that are transmitted to humans, especially in developing countries, due to a lack of early detection and preventative measures. Despite the link between human health and animal health, veterinary telehealth has not attracted much attention from researchers in the medical health community. This paper describes a case study exploring the use of mobile phones for rapid reporting of zoonotic diseases in South Africa. It outlines an SMS-based mobile service to enable community members to report suspected cases of diseases. This service aims to increase the number and density of traditional reporting sources to facilitate near real-time reporting and consequently more rapid response to zoonoses outbreaks. The initial phases of this system design are described in addition to future directions.