**3. Experiment-based and visit-based learning**

University is 180 km. Facebook videoconferences were used for team discussions associated with problem-based learning and problem solving. The BP healthcare for smart aging course was offered through the Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, and the Department of Nursing, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, during September 2014 and January 2015. Thirteen students in the electrical field and 34 nursing students participated for joint interdisciplinary learning. In the learning teams, students in the electrical field provided the MICT know-how, and nursing students contrib‐ uted user experience and healthcare knowledge. The course outline of tele-BP healthcare for

Video materials were recorded and uploaded to the course Web site for students enrolled in the course so that they could download the information to study anytime and anywhere.

Nursing and technology video material [22]: Lu discussed the relationship between nursing and technology, technology's effects on nursing, the connection between nurse's experiences with technology and new technology design, advanced nursing processes, future trends in

Healthy aging video material [23]: Lu defined aging and discussed the aging process, changes in bodily functions, longevity, elderly food intake and arrangements, elderly movement, and approaches to caring for the elderly, as well as definitions of healthy aging, aging attitudes,

BP healthcare for smart aging video material [24]: Lin discussed health and medical, issues, medical care for smart aging, cardiovascular disease, BP definition, the principles of BP changes, classifications of hypertension, techniques and times for measuring BP, and princi‐ ples and operational modes regarding mercury, pneumatic, and electronic sphygmomanom‐ eters. Other topics included risk factors, symptoms, and complications of hypertension, and

Telenursing video material [25]: Lu discussed the definitions of telehealth, telecare, telemedi‐ cine, and telenursing, community-based telecare, home-based telecare, and agency-based

telecare, as well as the roles, opportunities, and challenges of telecare nurses.

The course outline of BP healthcare for smart aging is as follows:

nursing education, and future trends in the development of nursing technologies.

smart aging is as follows: **•** Nursing and technology

**•** BP healthcare for smart aging

102 Mobile Health Technologies - Theories and Applications

preventive measures for the disease.

**•** BP care for smart aging

**•** MICT

**•** Community/home telecare

**•** Healthy aging

**•** Telenursing

and planning.

In the experiment-based learning process, interdisciplinary students can understand the principle and technology of mobile BP healthcare solutions for smart aging. **Figure 1** shows several BP measurements for the same personal, taken in different situations. The systolic BP values for lying, sitting, standing, and walking are 122, 123, 128, and 136 mmHg, respectively. The diastolic BP values are 62, 70, 75, and 90 mmHg, respectively. We observed the range of the systolic and diastolic BP values by taking measurements in several situations. The maximum measurement value of BP is reported for walking, and the minimum measurement value is reported for lying.

**Figure 1.** Several BP measurements for the same personal taken in different situations.

**Figure 2.** The cloud-based BP platform solution developed by Microlife [29]. Values are presented.

As shown in **Figure 2**, the cloud-based BP platform solution developed by Microlife was adopted in the course to train students in mobile BP healthcare [29]. The BP measurement times were before sleep and after getting up, and the times were recorded with a USB-based sphygmomanometer that can store 256 BP measurement times, as well as the values for pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP. These values can be uploaded to the cloud-based mobile BP platform from the USB-based sphygmomanometer using a USB transmission interface. In the cloudbased BP platform, the BP measurement time and pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP values are recorded, and the trend and changes of pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP are noted.

We can also obtain the sleep habits of the cloud-based BP platform users. The joint interdisci‐ plinary learning process for cloud-based BP healthcare solutions in the courses of tele-BP healthcare and BP healthcare for smart aging is shown in **Figure 3**. The third-generation (3G) mobile cellular network was used to connect notebooks to the cloud-based BP platform at anytime and anywhere. Observation, interdisciplinary cooperation, reverse thinking and feedback, innovative design, and an applied science and technology learning methodology were utilized. Cloud-based BP healthcare solutions for smart aging were learned, using integration, innovation, design, and thinking skills. The interdisciplinary students posed and answered the following questions:

**Figure 3.** The joint interdisciplinary learning process for cloud-based BP healthcare solutions in the courses of tele-BP healthcare and BP healthcare for smart aging.

What healthcare services are available?

What kinds of smart aging groups are available?

Why are these kinds of smart aging groups suitable?

How are these kinds of smart aging groups used?

What kinds of carers and operators are needed?

What kinds of sensors and control devices are used?

What are the kinds of MICT devices, HMI, and network needs?

What are the functions of the cloud database?

What are the costs to be paid?

Who are the payers?

**Figure 2.** The cloud-based BP platform solution developed by Microlife [29]. Values are presented.

recorded, and the trend and changes of pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP are noted.

answered the following questions:

104 Mobile Health Technologies - Theories and Applications

As shown in **Figure 2**, the cloud-based BP platform solution developed by Microlife was adopted in the course to train students in mobile BP healthcare [29]. The BP measurement times were before sleep and after getting up, and the times were recorded with a USB-based sphygmomanometer that can store 256 BP measurement times, as well as the values for pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP. These values can be uploaded to the cloud-based mobile BP platform from the USB-based sphygmomanometer using a USB transmission interface. In the cloudbased BP platform, the BP measurement time and pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP values are

We can also obtain the sleep habits of the cloud-based BP platform users. The joint interdisci‐ plinary learning process for cloud-based BP healthcare solutions in the courses of tele-BP healthcare and BP healthcare for smart aging is shown in **Figure 3**. The third-generation (3G) mobile cellular network was used to connect notebooks to the cloud-based BP platform at anytime and anywhere. Observation, interdisciplinary cooperation, reverse thinking and feedback, innovative design, and an applied science and technology learning methodology were utilized. Cloud-based BP healthcare solutions for smart aging were learned, using integration, innovation, design, and thinking skills. The interdisciplinary students posed and

What are the self-management strategies of lifestyle and the treatment concept in mobile BP healthcare education for smart aging using MICT?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

**Figure 4.** The interdisciplinary course outline of tele-BP healthcare for smart aging included a visit to the Department of Industrial Design, Shih Chien University, in July 2, 2014.

**Figure 5.** The interdisciplinary course outline of tele-BP healthcare for smart aging also included a visit to the Nightin‐ gale Nursing home for Smart Aging, Taichung, in June 2014.

The interdisciplinary course outline of tele-BP healthcare for smart aging included a visit to the Department of Industrial Design, Shih Chien University, in July 2, 2014, as shown in **Figure 4**. Prof. Z.C. Wang presented the principle and technology of industrial design of nursing and a 3D printer. The course outline also included a visit to the Nightingale Nursing home for Smart Aging, Taichung, in June 2014, as shown in **Figure 5**. Students studied the life behaviors, diet, entertainment, and movement habits in the care center. In addition, the interdisciplinary course outline of BP healthcare for smart aging included a visit to a hospice and iodine 131 wards at Chang Cung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, in November 2014, as shown in **Figure 6**, for an overview of the hospice practices. A video phone was used in an iodine 131 ward to provide real-time interaction between patients inside the ward and doctors, nurses, family members, and friends outside the ward. The video phone technology ameliorated the sense of helpless and anxiety felt by patients in the isolation iodine 131 ward. In addition, the cloud-based, wireless sphygmomanometers used in the Chang Cung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, were observed. The medical record number, BP measurement time, and pulse, diastolic, and systolic BP values transmitted in real time to the cloud-based hospital care platform using the wireless transmission technology. Thus, the interdisciplinary students studied mobile BP healthcare for smart aging through visit-based learning.

**Figure 4.** The interdisciplinary course outline of tele-BP healthcare for smart aging included a visit to the Department

**Figure 5.** The interdisciplinary course outline of tele-BP healthcare for smart aging also included a visit to the Nightin‐

of Industrial Design, Shih Chien University, in July 2, 2014.

106 Mobile Health Technologies - Theories and Applications

gale Nursing home for Smart Aging, Taichung, in June 2014.

**Figure 6.** The interdisciplinary course outline of BP healthcare for smart aging included a visit to a hospice and iodine 131 wards at Chang Cung Memorial Hospital, Keelung Branch, in November 2014.

According to the teaching and learning experience, as well as the visit-based experience described in the above explanation, the learning tool was developed for mobile hypertension education, as shown in **Figure 7**. The development learning tools included the proximal display software, a notebook, tablet, or personal computer with the Microsoft operating system, and a 3G mobile modem. The C# program was used to develop the proximal display software. The adaptive screen with large font solutions for smart aging, cloud-based BP measurement solution of Microlife, cloud-based BP measurement solution of Sunshine Instrument [30], SKYPE videoconference solution [31], and Messenger Plus videoconference recording solution [32] were all integrated with each other. Cloud-based sphygmomanometer and electrocardiography instruments are approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Taiwan FDA medical equipment, respectively. The videoconference and videoconference recording solutions can be used for team discussions relating to problem-based learning and problem solving. The mobile hypertension care process was studied as regards nursing students, and the proximal display software technology and the principle of MICT were studied as regards electrical students.

**Figure 7.** The learning tool was developed for mobile hypertension education.

A learning tool developed by Microlife Corporation for 3G mobile agent and cloud-based multiuser real-time BP measurement system is shown in **Figure 8**. The 3G mobile agent and cloud-based multiuser real-time BP measurement system includes radiofrequency identifica‐ tion (RFID) cards, a Bluetooth-based sphygmomanometer, 3G gateway with Bluetooth network, 3G mobile modem, auto login sensor, and tablet. Each user has an RFID card, such as an Easycard, or a student card, to identify the user number. The Bluetooth-based sphyg‐ momanometer is in a shutdown state. When the RFID-based student card senses the Bluetoothbased sphygmomanometer, the device is turned on, and the BP is measured. Real-time BP values are transmitted to the 3G gateway via the Bluetooth network, and a 3G mobile modem is used for transmission of these values to a cloud-based BP platform. When the RFID-based student card senses auto login, the auto login sensor uses the 3G mobile modem to login into the cloud-based BP monitoring Web page, and the real-time BP values in the Web page are displayed on the tablet. Each user can access BP reports on the cloud-based Web page at any instance from any global location.

According to the teaching and learning experience, as well as the visit-based experience described in the above explanation, the learning tool was developed for mobile hypertension education, as shown in **Figure 7**. The development learning tools included the proximal display software, a notebook, tablet, or personal computer with the Microsoft operating system, and a 3G mobile modem. The C# program was used to develop the proximal display software. The adaptive screen with large font solutions for smart aging, cloud-based BP measurement solution of Microlife, cloud-based BP measurement solution of Sunshine Instrument [30], SKYPE videoconference solution [31], and Messenger Plus videoconference recording solution [32] were all integrated with each other. Cloud-based sphygmomanometer and electrocardiography instruments are approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Taiwan FDA medical equipment, respectively. The videoconference and videoconference recording solutions can be used for team discussions relating to problem-based learning and problem solving. The mobile hypertension care process was studied as regards nursing students, and the proximal display software technology and the principle of MICT were

studied as regards electrical students.

108 Mobile Health Technologies - Theories and Applications

**Figure 7.** The learning tool was developed for mobile hypertension education.

**Figure 8.** A learning tool developed by Microlife Corporation for 3G mobile agent and cloud-based multiuser real time BP measurement system.

## **4. Conclusion**

For students in electrical and nursing fields, mobile BP smart aging healthcare is a challenging area of joint interdisciplinary learning. A new educational model and innovative teaching methodology using a cloud-based mobile BP healthcare solution for BP healthcare smart aging education were proposed. Problem-based learning and a solving process, experiment-based learning, and visit-based learning were adopted. Facebook videoconferencing was used for team discussions of the problem-based learning and solving process among students in electrical and nursing fields. The cloud-based BP platform solution developed by Microlife was adopted in the course to train the students in mobile BP healthcare. This is a good learning and teaching program for mobile BP healthcare solutions for smart aging, and it is a beneficial contribution to the mobile BP healthcare industry of smart aging.

## **Acknowledgements**

The author acknowledges the support of the Union Teaching of the Ministry of Education for Smart Aging, the Union Teaching of the Ministry of Education for Medical Electronics in Taiwan, and the valuable comments of the reviewers.
