Abstract:

e-therapy can be considered a category of e-learning systems if it pretends that the user, patient in this case, is able to modify their patterns of learning and face a known problem using new tools.

This paper presents EDIS project, developed under the concept of collaborative design. It means that in the process of artifacts production, the user/patient is considered part of the work team from the early phase of design, changing his/her usual role and influencing with his/her experience in design decisions.

EDIS aims to replace a part of the dysphagia therapy through a web-based system. Patients have access to several videos of the therapist, who performs the exercises and gives specific instructions to repeat the practice. Once the patient understands how to do the exercises, record him/her self and then sends them through the same system so that the person responsible for the therapy can evaluate and make the necessary comments.

The paper highlights the advantages of conducting dysphagia therapy through an Internet system. Benefits of including the user on the work team from the first phase of design are detailed and methodological design criteria for projects in areas of knowledge management are established. Finally, we mention possible future research arising from this work.

Keywords:

innovation, e-services, e-health, collaborative design, design method, research projects.