Table of Contents

Introduction

Throughout this week, we primarily focused on discussing ideas. Initially, our project seemed well-defined, but after receiving feedback from our coordinator, we realized that we needed to refine our problem statement.

We decided to focus on a clear and specific issue within the healthcare field. After careful consideration, we concluded that it would be valuable to develop a solution that supports informal caregivers.

By reviewing scientific articles and master’s theses, we confirmed that this is a significant issue affecting not only caregivers but also those who rely on them. (Scientific Articles Folder)

This choice felt appropriate since it aligned with our initial proposal — an automated pillbox with chatbot assistance — allowing us to build upon our previous work. However, we still needed to determine whether this was truly a practical solution that would provide real value to caregivers.

On Wednesday, we attended a seminar led by guest speaker Miguel Gonçalves, which highlighted the importance of engaging with experienced professionals in the field. This insight prompted us to shift our focus from problem definition to direct outreach. We decided to engage with professionals in formal and informal caregiving, as well as medical experts, to better understand real-world challenges and gather firsthand perspectives.

Our current Proposed Solution

We initially considered addressing the challenge of medication adherence, a concern for caregivers. Elderly individuals and those with memory-related conditions frequently forget their medication, leading to serious health risks. Caregivers struggle to manage this responsibility while balancing their own lives, often experiencing stress and uncertainty — especially when they lack medical knowledge to handle missed doses.

To tackle this, we envisioned an automated pillbox integrated with a chatbot-powered app to simplify medication management and assist caregivers. The pillbox would provide scheduled reminders and notify caregivers if a dose was missed. Meanwhile, the chatbot would offer real-time guidance, helping caregivers respond effectively to unexpected situations. This system aimed to reduce caregiver stress while ensuring patients adhered to their medication schedules.

However, as the week progressed and we spoke to various professionals, we realized that, while medication adherence is an important issue, it is not the primary challenge caregivers face. Additionally, relying on technology to grant independence in medication management could be risky for individuals who lack the capacity to manage their own prescriptions safely.

As a result, we have shifted our focus toward redefining the problem. By actively engaging with caregivers and professionals, we aim to identify their most pressing challenges and develop a tailored solution that truly meets their needs.

People and Associations We Spoke With

Meeting with a Pharmaceutical Coordinator

(All the members were present at this interview)

On Saturday (before the first official project week), we visited the headquarters of a healthcare services institution to meet with their pharmaceutical coordinator and his colleagues. The discussion revolved around our initial proposal: an automated pillbox with chatbot assistance. Key takeaways from the meeting included:

• Assessing real-world viability: We examined whether our proposed solution would be practical in real-life scenarios and what modifications might be necessary to better suit user needs. While the experts acknowledged the relevance of medication adherence, they pointed out challenges such as determining which types of pills should be integrated and how the chatbot should handle medication interactions.

• Target audience considerations: We debated whether to design a generalized solution for a broad audience or tailor it to specific cases. In the end, we concluded that focusing on real-world cases with actual medical prescriptions would be the most effective approach. This strategy ensures direct caregiver support while maintaining future scalability.

• Defining chatbot complexity: A key discussion point was whether the chatbot should support extensive interactions or remain a simple, structured tool. We decided that it should initially address 20 core questions related to commonly asked questions about specific medication, striking a balance between usability and functionality.

• Ensuring credibility: To enhance the reliability of the chatbot’s recommendations, we agreed that scientific validation of its medication-related responses would be crucial.

• Next steps: If we pursued this approach, the immediate priority would be defining a sample group of users for case studies. Consulting with our coordinator would be necessary to ensure we collected relevant and meaningful data.

Meeting with the Social Worker at a Day Center

(Hugo Soares & Gonçalo Barbosa conducted this interview)

After shifting our focus toward understanding the primary needs of informal caregivers, we identified relevant associations that could provide expert insights. Our first visit took place on Thursday at a Day Center, where we spoke with a social worker who shared valuable perspectives:

• Understanding caregiver challenges: One of the primary concerns of caregivers is being able to follow up on the person they care for in a minimally intrusive way, even when they are not physically present. Knowing that everything is okay during their absence provides a sense of security

• Limitations of our initial idea: When discussing our automated pillbox concept, the social worker highlighted a critical issue: even if seniors receive reminders to take their medication, they may still forget or become distracted without caregiver supervision. This raised concerns about the practicality of the system for individuals with cognitive impairments.

• Existing solutions and their shortcomings: We explored current solutions used by caregivers. The social worker pointed out that cameras and emergency buttons are widely available but often ineffective. Cameras are considered highly invasive, while emergency buttons are frequently misused by seniors seeking social interaction rather than in actual emergencies. Additionally, many available technologies are too complex for elderly users and fail to address their specific needs effectively.

This discussion reinforced our need to rethink our approach and explore alternative solutions that are both user-friendly and truly beneficial for caregivers.

Week Recap

After meeting with the pharmaceutical coordinator and attending the seminar, we decided to adjust our strategy. Instead of focusing solely on consultations with medical professionals, we expanded our outreach to associations dedicated to patient care and caregiver support.

To gain deeper insights, we made it a priority to contact as many relevant associations as possible. Their expertise would help us identify the most pressing challenges caregivers face daily.

This information was particularly valuable because we began to suspect that our initial proposal — an automated pillbox — might not be the most effective solution for the problem we aimed to address. Receiving direct feedback from those we intend to help is essential to ensuring we are on the right track.

Moving forward, our primary focus will be scheduling additional meetings with associations and stakeholders to refine our problem statement and develop a solution that truly meets caregivers’ needs.