TiChroN will holistically solve the problems identified in the monitoring, treatment and empowerment of children with chronic diseases, based on ICTs and involving sectors of society that regularly interact with these children. It will offer children, families and caregivers optimized tools for care and early intervention in case of changes in their health.
The innovative character is reflected in the different activities proposed, which put the patient at the centre of the project:
- Analysis of the specific needs of children and the actors around them
- Ergonomic and interactive ICT tools dedicated to this young target population, accustomed to technologies
- Common and optimized protocols and training for all stakeholders involved
- Pilot of tools and test protocols in the 3 countries (Spain, Portugal, France)
- Analysis of results to define best practices.
Results:
- New e-health benefits and services
- Improve the qualification of health professionals resulting from the exchange of international best practices
- Efficiency and organizational cost savings due to decreasing errors
- Consolidation of international networks for the incorporation of e-health
- Development of the business network in the ICT sector, increase the competitiveness and economic activity of the SUDOE regions
Video Presentation of the Project
Take a look at the video (in Spanish) 
Main Outputs of the Project
- Mobile application and web portal for proactive health monitoring
- Conclusions and next steps to follow (Sustainability Plan)
- Compilation of reports on the actual situation and needs detected in the health care of chronically ill children
- Follow-up report and incidence of the 3 pilot studies
- Interactive motivational game for adherence to treatment
- Training and virtual training course
Work package 1
Analysis of the state of the art in the field of care for chronically ill children, from 4 points of view:
- Study of the most used E-Health Technologies in the market today: CTIC, TELEFONICA.
- Capacity-building techniques used and presence of teleconsultation in schools, level of awareness of teachers and colleagues: FUTURE BALLOONS.
- Medical use of new technologies, current models for the management and follow-up of chronically ill children in health centres: SCS, U. MINHO.
- Study of social and family relationships of children and adolescents with chronic conditions: ACCOMIP.
Considering the child patient as the protagonist of the proposal, an analysis of the concrete needs will be done depending on the particular conditions of each patient. This analysis will be approached in the same way as the state of the art, based on technological, social, educational and assistance needs. Following the previous study of requirements and needs, the specifications of both follow up and monitoring tools (MEDES), interactive and motivational games (CTIC) and e-learning or digital learning specifications will be drawn up (FUTURE BALLOONS). All the conclusions drawn from the previous study will help to achieve an innovative solution, capable of responding together and complementing all technological, educational, health and social needs.
Work package 2
The main objective is to improve patients’ quality of life, as well as to facilitate their care and the relationship with family members, teachers and colleagues who interact regularly with chronic patients.
In this sense, we conceived a three-pronged follow-up model (proactive, motivational and caregiving), which, in turn, have a direct relationship with the children’s social circles (school, health service and family):
- Proactive monitoring: (applications, telemonitoring) development of tools that facilitate the follow-up of patients on an ongoing basis, helping to monitor progress and create routines in children. (MEDES)
- Motivational follow-up: (gamification) development of games and virtual activities that help patients to continue treatment and to acquire healthy lifestyle habits. (CTIC)
- School support/health: (teleconsultation, telemedicine) will use the technologies currently available, which will be adapted to the specific needs of children. (SCS, Minho)
- Training of agents involved in health through e-learning tools. (FUTURE BALLOONS)
The main product will be a mobile application capable of receiving and ordering data acquired through sensors to monitor and evaluate progress in children’s health status. In addition, it will have a web application where health professionals will be able to access the progress visualization.
The CTIC, in collaboration with the partners, and taking into account the conclusions of WP1, will develop an interactive game specially designed for children with chronic diseases, able to adapt to the needs of each one, but paying special attention to diabetics, asthmatics and children with obesity problems.
Future Balloons, the partner experienced in e-learning programs, will be responsible for producing a virtual training course with interactive content that offers the different agents involved in child health the essential information for the care and monitoring of chronic diseases. The design of training activities will emerge from the needs identified in WP1 and will be supported by all partners in the consortium.
Work package 3
It is divided into 4 activities:
- Driver setup (All partners)
- Pilot in Spain (SCS and CTIC)
- Pilot in France (MEDES and ACCOMIP)
- Pilot in Portugal (U. Minho)
Although the main responsibility of each pilot is the beneficiaries of the project in each country, the studies count on the support and collaboration of different local partners, such as the Hospital Marqués de Valdecila, the Ministry of Education of Cantabria, creSco – Paul Sabatier University, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, among others. We are confident that the implementation and testing of the tools will allow us to have a more practical view of the effectiveness of our project.
Work package 4
It is intended that this last work package serves as a self-criticism and a roadmap for improvements in tools and in meeting the needs of users and patients. So, we divided this WP into 2 activities:
- Analysis of results and exchange of best practices
- Selection and replication
All consortium members and associated partners will participate in this WP to identify implementation errors and successes and try to optimize the tools. End-users, their families, teachers and doctors will play a particularly important role as their contributions will matter most in the conclusions.
