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Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care
| International Journal of Computer Applications |
| Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA |
| Volume 45 - Number 11 |
| Year of Publication: 2012 |
| Authors: Muhammad Wasim Munir, Semi Perälä, Kari Mäkelä |
10.5120/6826-9385
|
Muhammad Wasim Munir, Semi Perälä, Kari Mäkelä . Utilization and Impacts of GPS Tracking in Healthcare: A Research Study for Elderly Care. International Journal of Computer Applications. 45, 11 ( May 2012), 35-37. DOI=10.5120/6826-9385
Abstract
This study provided awareness about the importance of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in healthcare. This research evaluated existing tracking devices for elderly people and identified the difficulties and possible solutions in the performance analysis. There were two GPS (global positioning system) tracking devices examined and tested by eight elderly subjects and a questionnaire survey filled at the end. The first device was simple and easier in handling while the second device has more features and slightly difficult in handling. These devices can potentially increase the privacy and raises self-motivation in elderly. Nevertheless, these devices were not suitable for (i) memory loss patients because they cannot handle these kinds of devices. (ii) A significant issue was also the maintenance of the device itself: who reminds the elderly patients about to use and who recharges the battery. This may create a similar situation as with the other use of telemedicine technologies and raised ethical concerns. However, these kinds of devices can be very important to reduce the major risk of elderly people getting lost, and provide the peace of mind to caregivers. In addition, homecare-tracking devices can be helpful in reducing the rush at healthcare centers and provide cheap solutions in remote monitoring of elderly.
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