ITR/PE: Using context-recognition for preventative medicine in the home

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

The U.S. medical system faces an impending crisis: how to provide for the medical needs of a rapidly aging population. This project will investigate new technologies for "just-in-time" preventative health education in the home. Prior work on using computer telephony to deliver health education and counseling to people in their homes will be extended to mobile computing devices. Algorithms will be investigated that passively and actively collect data from healthy users of mobile computing devices and use that data to identify patterns of everyday activity using probabilistic models. The activity of each person will be used to present preventative health information and counseling at "teachable moments" -- the times when that information is most likely to impact the user's health-related decision making. A prototype system for elderly individuals interested in improving their exercise level and diet will be collaboratively developed by technologists and medical professionals. A participatory design process will be used to ensure the devices are easy to use, even for those who are not computer literate. The prototype system will be evaluated in a small focus group study.