Pilot of AGATHA, a digital healthy ageing coach for older people

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, a virtual healthy ageing coach, co-developed by WHO WPRO with the China Academy of Information Communications Technology (CAICT), a WHO Collaborating Center for Digital Health, provides a versatile age-friendly platform for health promotion. The primary objective of AGATHA is to promote health among older adults in an engaging and accessible manner. Specifically, the interface enables voice recognition and is designed to be simple and intuitive. The existing prototype is a web-based application that can educate people on different health-related topics followed by quiz functions to evaluate understanding. It is also embedded with gamification components such as scoring, users’ progress tracking and badges for sharing with friends.

The Healthy Ageing Unit at WPRO seeks an organization/group/company to conduct a pilot study to learn how AGATHA can be utilized in a real life setting by older people. Additionally, knowledge on older people’s needs and interests for insights to optimize the platform for long-term use in the Malaysian context will be collected as part of the pilot.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The Healthy Ageing Unit seeks an interested organization/group/company to conduct a pilot study on real life use of AGATHA, a digital healthy ageing coach, by older people in Malaysia.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Planning and executing of a pilot study, data collection (interviews, focus groups etc.), summary of data analysis.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output 1- Plan and execute a pilot study of the digital Healthy Ageing Coach of AGATHA (avatar) to generate evidence. The piloting should involve at least 30 diverse participants, evenly recruited from various socio-economic groups to represent diversity, [e.g. over the age of 60 and from different age categories, from urban, sub-urban and rural communities, different ethnic groups (Malaysian Indian, Malaysian Chinese, and Malay), who are able to read, write and speak (English/Chinese (Mandarin), with different degrees of intrinsic capacity and functional ability, living in the community (alone, with a partner, with family members) to use AGATHA for 2-3 weeks. Participants will be divided into 2 cohorts (at least 15 participants per cohort). Each cohort will use AGATHA for at least 2 weeks (with possible extension of an additional week if there is a need). Participants will have a middle and final check point on the 5th day and 12th day after the intervention period starts.        

Deliverable 1.1 – Key documents for pilot implementation, including research ethics approvals, informed consent forms, pilot study protocols, etc. 

Deliverable 1.2 – Draft and deliver reminders to participants in the form of sms/text message.

Deliverable 1.3 - A report summarizing results of pilot study, including older peoples’ feedback on user interface design acceptability, avatar interaction, features and topics needed for long-term use in Malaysian context and its effectiveness as a health promotion tool.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Health sciences, digital health, digital technology, marketing academic background

EXPERIENCE

• Experience in user testing and piloting of digital solutions
• Experience conducting research studies on older people’s health

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Advanced understanding of digital technology application in the health sector

LANGUAGES

Fluent in written and spoken English and Chinese (Mandarin)

COMPETENCIES

• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Producing results
• Fostering integration and teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Duty station

Malaysia

Duration of contract

3 months starting 14 March 2022

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 25 February 2022

• • 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
• • Technical and financial proposals. The proposals should include methodology, cost and timelines

Please use Tender Notice No. 166503 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.