Affective computing in tele-home health

Abstract

This study exemplifies the integration of IS behavioral science in the area of technology adoption and diffusion into the design science process. We first identify the computer-mediated paradox, as it exists in the tele-home health care setting. Specifically, we address the challenges of providing quality patient inclusive of affective assessment. From the design science perspective, we then introduce an intelligent interface (MOUE) aimed at discerning emotional state from processing sensory modalities (or modes) input via various media and building (or encoding) a model of the user's emotions. We contextualize MOUE within the tele-home health care setting to provide the health care provider with an easy-to-use and useful assessment of the patient's emotional state in order to facilitate patient care. We then use an IS adoption model developed and tested in the general telemedicine context in a qualitative exploratory manner as a means to inform design science regarding adapting affective state output in consideration of tele-home health adoption and diffusion issues. Based upon this integrative exploration, we propose to expand the application of "Wizard of Oz" type studies by Dahlback, N., et al., (1998) to computer-mediated communication (CMC) environments to investigate how emotional state assessments influence responses from health care professionals and how MOUE can be accepted into the health care environment.