Ph.D. Defence by Hao Cai

See the invitation here

Abstract

In 2007, the concept of welfare technology was introduced as a new discourse in Denmark by the Danish Board of Technology. Welfare technology is defined as technology that can help and assist users in their daily lives. Welfare technology is closely linked to Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) whereas AAL focuses on "addressing the needs of the aging population". Welfare technology addresses not only the elderly but also other users of public services such as chronical ill patients, handicapped, etc. The overall aim of this Phd study has two fold: Firstly, to evaluate the healthcare professionals’ user experience of implementing the intelligent bed in Denmark and China. Secondly, to identify critical success factors on translating welfare technology from Danish to a Chinese context. The concept of the intelligent bed is developed by a Danish company. The intelligent bed consists of a hospital bed combined with sensor technology to improve the comfort and use of the bed for users and healthcare professionals. The intelligent bed consist of functions like: light under the bed, out of bed sensor, moisture sensor, alarms for bed-rails and brakes, etc. Case studies were conducted in a nursing home in Soenderborg Municipality, Denmark and on a rehabilitation ward at a hospital in China.
In conclusion, critical success factors mentioned in the thesis are important for transformation of the intelligent bed from Denmark to China. The identification of the critical success factors is a valuable knowledge for future project management, Danish companies and municipalities in Denmark when performing transformation of welfare technology from Denmark to China.