Does your work require IRB approvals…right now? At a later stage? If Yes, articulate your detailed IRB strategy. If No, explain why you don’t need IRB approval and identify situations when you might need IRB approval

No, we do not require IRB approval, because of the following reasons:

• No Research Involving Human Subjects: AISHA strives to educate healthcare workers using Alexa, and the interaction is not research-based but rather educational in nature, therefore it doesn’t constitute research involving human subjects. Instead, it could be considered a form of training or knowledge dissemination.
• No Data Collection or Research Data: AISHA doesn’t collect data from participants for research purposes.
• No Risk to Participants: The use of AISHA devices doesn’t pose any risk to the healthcare workers or patients, physically, mentally, or socially, therefore IRB oversight isn’t necessary. This is especially relevant if the information being shared is basic healthcare knowledge and not experimental or potentially harmful.

Based on your life experience, skills, and interests, what would a design process that is both uniquely yours and effective look like?

• Reflection:  What went wrong/ what needs fixing? What are the challenges faced and the solutions to them?
• Brainstorm/Ideate: Solutions to these problems (Translation, case users)
• Research: Research on solutions (power, language)
• Prototype/ troubleshooting: How well does the code work? etc
• Test: Testing and trying to use it at home before implementing it in fieldwork
• Implementation: In fieldwork
• Feedback: from the people using AISHA answers and stakeholders

Identify your three most important stakeholders and list five UNIQUE attributes for each.

• Customer: PHOs in Sierra Leone Makeni (not paying)
  1. Local Expertise: They possess intimate knowledge of the community’s healthcare needs and challenges.\
  2. Resource Constraints: Limited budget and resources available for healthcare initiatives.
  3. Cultural Sensitivity: Understand the cultural nuances and beliefs that may impact healthcare practices.
  4. Government Relations: Interface with local government bodies and navigate bureaucratic processes.
  5. Community Trust: Establish trust within the community through continuous engagement and service delivery.
• Consumer: Medical professionals (nurses) in Sierra Leone
  1. Frontline Experience: Directly involved in patient care and treatment, often facing challenging conditions.
  2. Training Needs: There is a continuous need for training and skill development to keep up with evolving medical practices.
  3. Patient Advocacy: Act as advocates for patients, ensuring their voices are heard in healthcare decision-making.
  4. Resourcefulness: Often work with limited resources, requiring improvisation and creative solutions.
  5. Emotional Resilience: Regularly deal with emotionally taxing situations, requiring strong coping mechanisms.
• Public Health Bureau
  1. Policy Formulation: Responsible for developing and implementing public health policies at a national or regional level.
  2. Epidemiological Surveillance: Monitor disease outbreaks and trends to inform public health interventions.
  3. Resource Allocation: Allocate funds and resources to different health programs based on priority and need.
  4. Collaborative Partnerships: Work with various stakeholders including NGOs, international organizations, and communities.
  5. Health Education: Engage in public health campaigns and educational initiatives to promote healthy behaviors and disease prevention

Identify three ways in which you will validate your project concept, technology, usability and business model. 

• Concept:
  • Has something similar been done successfully?
  • What are we doing differently than projects that failed?
  • How have we grown/has our concept improved?
• Technology:
  • If we can have to develop and publish AISHA Answers 1.0
  • If we can  overcome power and internet access in Sierra Leone
• Usability:
  • If it is being used (number of catches)
  • Final implementation of our device in a clinical environment
• Business model:
  • Is our budget realistic?
  • Will we be able to reach our goal within a certain time frame?
  • If our propositions are measurable?
  • Does it solve a real burning problem?
  • How do they solve the problem now?
  • What financial resources and burdens do they have?
  • How much are customers willing to pay?
  • Is the business economically sustainable? (What are your start-up and recurring costs?)
  • What is your competitive advantage versus other ventures?