Digital health assistant, Beta-test and Pilot project (China)

BACKGROUND

Digital technology is an increasingly important tool for health. The digital world enables accessing health information and health services and serves as a platform for tools to collect health data and support health behaviour change. Older people, however, largely remain digitally marginalized due to both physical barriers, such as poor eyesight, hearing and mobility, and social barriers, such as lower technological literacy. As health and society become increasingly reliant on technology, older people are at risk of being left further behind. Digital access is a cornerstone of the Healthy Ageing Unit’s vision of societies of the future. Without drastic improvements in digital access, further innovation risks exacerbating inequalities for older people.

Agatha is a digital health assistant that was designed by the China Academy of Information and Communication Technology (CAICT), a WHO Collaborating Center for digital health. The goal of this avatar is to promote health among older adults in an engaging and accessible manner. This interface is specifically designed to overcome some of the common barriers faced by older people in using technology. Specifically, the interface enables voice recognition and is designed to be simple and intuitive. The existing prototype is a web-based application that can answer health-related questions. In its final form, this virtual platform will be turned into an application, potentially be embedded in other smart devices or platforms, that also provides personalized features such as health tracking and nudging. The Healthy Ageing Unit at WPRO seeks an APW to conduct the beta-testing of the platform, advise on priority improvements, and design and conduct a pilot study in China. 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The Healthy Ageing unit seeks an organization/group/company to conduct an evaluation of Agatha, a digital health assistant for older people.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Outputs

Output 1 – Plan and execute beta-testing of the platform, including assessment of individual user experience with a minimum of 50 users (over the age of 65) as well as moderated focus group discussions with the goal of collecting feedback on user interface design acceptability, avatar comprehension, content selection and future expansion of both content and features. 

Deliverable 1.1 – Key documents for beta-testing implementation, including protocols and interview guides (By June 30).  

Deliverable 1.2 – A report summarizing the results of the beta-testing, including a list of actionable changes to implement to improve the platform (By 14 July).

Deliverable 1.3 – Footage documenting user experience that can be used for both process documentation and as promotional material, including photographs and videos of users interacting with the platform (By 31 July).

Output 2 – Plan and execute a pilot of the platform following integration of changes supplied through Deliverable 1.2 above. The piloting should involve at least 300 diverse participants, evenly recruited from various socio-economic groups to represent diversity, [e.g. over the age of 65, from urban, sub-urban and rural communities, from different age categories, with different degrees of intrinsic capacity and functional ability, and with the inclusion of residents of long-term care facilities and those living at home (alone, with a partner, with family members, etc.) where possible] and focus on adherence, long-term usage patterns and behaviours, and effectiveness in health promotion. The first month of the pilot will be dedicated to gaining feedback to optimize the platform for long-term use, whereas the remaining two months will consist of a research study for evidence generation.

Deliverable 2.1 – Key documents for pilot implementation, including ethical approvals, protocols and interview guides. Several conditions should be compared in the first month (e.g. frequency and type of notifications) to optimize the platform (By 14 August).

Deliverable 2.2 – A report summarizing results of the first month of the pilot, including a list of actionable changes to implement to improve the platform (By 20 September).

Deliverable 2.3 – A report summarizing results of the two-month research study component of the pilot characterizing long-term use of the platform and its effectiveness as a health promotion tool (By 31 December).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

An agency/ organization/ institution/ a company with extensive background on Health sciences, digital health, academic background

Experience

Proven experience in user testing and piloting of digital solutions.

Extensive experience conducting research studies on older people’s health.

Skills

Advanced understanding of digital technology application in the health sector

Languages

Fluent in written and spoken English/Chinese (local dialect spoken at the chosen research site)

Competencies

Communicating in a credible and effective way

Producing results

Fostering integration and teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• • WHO will review all the proposals and take the best proposal, based on the prevailing industry rates.
• • Implementation location will be in China.
• • Duration of Contract is for 6.5 months

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 3 June 2021

• • Curriculum Vitae (for individual contractors) or Company Profile (for institutional applications)
• • Expression of Interest (cover letter). The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily fee, timelines and availability.
• • Portfolio and samples of work

Please use Tender Notice No. 129095 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.