Family ResearchNCT03993951
Information and Communications Technology in Family Services
An observational study of Family Research, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
In the past few decades, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have rapidly developed as effective, and probably the most cost-effective, tools to connect most, if not all, aspects of family lives. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Family Research
- What is being tested?
- ICT System
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 400 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2018to 31 Dec 2023
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Social and service-related workers including heads of service, programme directors, counsellors and service users
Who may be able to join
- Stakeholders from the social service sector.
- Aged 18 years or older
- Cantonese speaking
Who cannot join
- Subjects who fail to meet the inclusion criteria
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Hong Kong1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Social service sector
Hong Kong, 852
Candy Yip, MSc, 39176610, agneslai@hku.hk
About this study
Official title: The Use of Information and Communications Technology in Family Service Agencies
In the past few decades, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have rapidly developed as effective, and probably the most cost-effective, tools to connect most, if not all, aspects of family lives.
To promote family harmony, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has initiated the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and NGOs. This project, making effective use of information and communications technology (ICT) and data analytics, is aimed at helping 26 NGO-operated Integrated Family Service Centres and Integrated Service Centres (Centres) enhance the quality and efficiency of their family service. The project is also aimed at building the capabilities of front-line workers so as to achieve the goal of enhancing family well-being.
This study aim to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the current level of ICT use by the providers of family services in Hong Kong, and their anticipated future direction regarding ICT use. In-depth and focus group interviews are conducted for the stakeholders (such as heads of service, programme directors, counsellors and service users) from the non-government organisations (NGOs) and the Social Welfare Department. The interviews help identify the concerns of social service and related workers and the needs of the participating NGOs in the development of the ICT system and the application in their services. The needs and concerns of the stakeholders in using ICTs in family services will be identified. It can facilitate the planning and designing of the system, the community programmes, and the training and sharing platform. The system will better fit the needs of the social service sector. In addition, the impact of JC SMART Family-Link Project on the stakeholder in family services will be evaluated through questionnaire survey and focus group interviews.
Read the detailed description
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) as a global trend refers to a cluster of technologies that are used to share, distribute, gather, and communicate information. ICTs encompass hardware that is often Internet capable such as computers, smart phones, and tablets, as well as the software and applications, such as email, social media sites, and video conferencing that are used on these devices. In Hong Kong, as of March 2016, the number of mobile service subscribers was 16.72 million, representing one of highest penetration rates in the world at about 228.3 per cent; amongst these subscribers, 14.69 million were 3G/ 4G service customers. As of March 2016, a surge to 20,557 Terabytes (or an average of 1,358 Megabytes per 2.5G/3G/4G mobile user) was recorded for local mobile data usage, representing a growth of 1.18 times and 1.58 times over the same period in 2015 and 2014 respectively.
In light of the review on family services in Hong Kong in 2000, pilot projects on the Integrated Family Service Centre (IFSC) service mode, were conducted in 2002. The Review report "Building Effective Family Services: Review on the Implementation of the IFSC Service Mode" stated that the IFSC service mode is an appropriate service mode for public-funded family services in Hong Kong. However, the Review also identified factors hindering the delivery of IFSC services. These hindering factors are the namely poor accessibility of some IFSCs, heavy workload, and stigmatisation. With the use of ICT, these hindering factors can be overcome, thus improving the IFSC service mode. The Review also recommended that "IFSCs should explore service enhancement through appropriate use and sharing of information technology."
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the current level of ICT use by providers of family services in Hong Kong, and their anticipated future direction regarding ICT use, focus group interviews are conducted with various stakeholders, including heads of service and programme directors at Hong Kong NGOs running IFSCs, and social service workers and service users of various IFSCs. Focus group interviews and survey questionnaires for service providers and service users are used to collect the information on the view and use of ICT in their daily practice.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has initiated the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and NGOs to promote the effective use of information and communications technology (ICT) and data analytics in family services. This project is aimed at helping 26 NGO-operated Integrated Family Service Centres and Integrated Service Centres (Centres) devise an innovative and evidence-based family service delivery model that leverages the effective use of ICT and data analytics and enhance the quality and efficiency of their family service.
This study aims to (i) understand the current practice of ICT use in family services and identify the needs and concerns of the stakeholders (heads of service, programme directors, counsellors, social service and related workers, and service users) on using ICTs in family services; and (ii) assess the impact of the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project.
- Conditions
- Family Research
- Being tested
- ICT System
- Keywords
- Family
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ICT SystemDevice
Update the Information and Communications Technology System in Family Service Agencies
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The change in views of ICTs use in family services from baseline at 1 year
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the views of social and service-related workers on using ICTs in family services. Question scores for range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: baseline and year 1
The change in behaviours of using ICTs in family services from baseline at 1 year
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the behaviours of social and service-related workers on using ICT in family services. Question scores range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: baseline and year 1
Secondary outcomes (5)
The views of ICTs use in family services
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the views of social and service-related workers on using ICTs in family services. Question scores for range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: year 2 and year 3
The behaviours of using ICT in family services
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the behaviours of social and service-related workers on using ICTs in family services. Question scores for range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: year 2 and year 3
The knowledge of using ICT in family services
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the knowledge of social and service-related workers on using ICT in family services. Question scores range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3
The attitude of using ICT in family services
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the attitude of social and service-related workers on using ICT in family services. Question scores range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3
The perceived effects in related to using ICT in family services
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the perceived effects on using ICT in family services. Question scores range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
Measured: baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Jun 2019
- Study start1 Jan 2018
- Primary completion31 Dec 2023 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2023 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Family ResearchStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The University of Hong KongThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 400 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong Kong
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Tai-hing Lam, MD, Principal investigator, The University of Hong Kong
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03993951
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UW18-073
- Status last verified
- Nov 2021
- First submitted
- 16 Jul 2018
- Last updated
- 30 Nov 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Sit SMM, Lai AYK, Kwok TO, Wong HW, Wong YL, Lam EYW, Chan JYW, Kong FSW, Cham K, Ng CKK, Yip T, Tsui TSY, Wong CM, Wong BCL, Tang WY, Yam PW, Chui M, Wan A, Kwok YK, Lam TH. Process Evaluation and Experience Sharing on Utilizing Information Communication Technologies and Digital Games in a Large Community Family Health Event: Hong Kong Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project. Front Public Health. 2020 Dec 22;8:579773. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.579773. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 33415096
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Nov 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Use of Information and Communications Technology in Family Service Agencies
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03993951
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UW18-073
- Conditions
- Family Research
- Keywords
- Family
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 400 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The University of Hong KongUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2023 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2023 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Jun 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In the past few decades, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have rapidly developed as effective, and probably the most cost-effective, tools to connect most, if not all, aspects of family lives.
To promote family harmony, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has initiated the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and NGOs. This project, making effective use of information and communications technology (ICT) and data analytics, is aimed at helping 26 NGO-operated Integrated Family Service Centres and Integrated Service Centres (Centres) enhance the quality and efficiency of their family service. The project is also aimed at building the capabilities of front-line workers so as to achieve the goal of enhancing family well-being.
This study aim to gain a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the current level of ICT use by the providers of family services in Hong Kong, and their anticipated future direction regarding ICT use. In-depth and focus group interviews are conducted for the stakeholders (such as heads of service, programme directors, counsellors and service users) from the non-government organisations (NGOs) and the Social Welfare Department. The interviews help identify the concerns of social service and related workers and the needs of the participating NGOs in the development of the ICT system and the application in their services. The needs and concerns of the stakeholders in using ICTs in family services will be identified. It can facilitate the planning and designing of the system, the community programmes, and the training and sharing platform. The system will better fit the needs of the social service sector. In addition, the impact of JC SMART Family-Link Project on the stakeholder in family services will be evaluated through questionnaire survey and focus group interviews.
Detailed description
Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) as a global trend refers to a cluster of technologies that are used to share, distribute, gather, and communicate information. ICTs encompass hardware that is often Internet capable such as computers, smart phones, and tablets, as well as the software and applications, such as email, social media sites, and video conferencing that are used on these devices. In Hong Kong, as of March 2016, the number of mobile service subscribers was 16.72 million, representing one of highest penetration rates in the world at about 228.3 per cent; amongst these subscribers, 14.69 million were 3G/ 4G service customers. As of March 2016, a surge to 20,557 Terabytes (or an average of 1,358 Megabytes per 2.5G/3G/4G mobile user) was recorded for local mobile data usage, representing a growth of 1.18 times and 1.58 times over the same period in 2015 and 2014 respectively.
In light of the review on family services in Hong Kong in 2000, pilot projects on the Integrated Family Service Centre (IFSC) service mode, were conducted in 2002. The Review report "Building Effective Family Services: Review on the Implementation of the IFSC Service Mode" stated that the IFSC service mode is an appropriate service mode for public-funded family services in Hong Kong. However, the Review also identified factors hindering the delivery of IFSC services. These hindering factors are the namely poor accessibility of some IFSCs, heavy workload, and stigmatisation. With the use of ICT, these hindering factors can be overcome, thus improving the IFSC service mode. The Review also recommended that "IFSCs should explore service enhancement through appropriate use and sharing of information technology."
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the current level of ICT use by providers of family services in Hong Kong, and their anticipated future direction regarding ICT use, focus group interviews are conducted with various stakeholders, including heads of service and programme directors at Hong Kong NGOs running IFSCs, and social service workers and service users of various IFSCs. Focus group interviews and survey questionnaires for service providers and service users are used to collect the information on the view and use of ICT in their daily practice.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has initiated the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and NGOs to promote the effective use of information and communications technology (ICT) and data analytics in family services. This project is aimed at helping 26 NGO-operated Integrated Family Service Centres and Integrated Service Centres (Centres) devise an innovative and evidence-based family service delivery model that leverages the effective use of ICT and data analytics and enhance the quality and efficiency of their family service.
This study aims to (i) understand the current practice of ICT use in family services and identify the needs and concerns of the stakeholders (heads of service, programme directors, counsellors, social service and related workers, and service users) on using ICTs in family services; and (ii) assess the impact of the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Social and service-related workers including heads of service, programme directors, counsellors and service users
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Stakeholders from the social service sector.
- Aged 18 years or older
- Cantonese speaking
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Subjects who fail to meet the inclusion criteria
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ICT SystemUpdate the Information and Communications Technology System in Family Service Agencies | Device | – |
Primary outcome
The change in views of ICTs use in family services from baseline at 1 year
Time frame: baseline and year 1
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the views of social and service-related workers on using ICTs in family services. Question scores for range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
The change in behaviours of using ICTs in family services from baseline at 1 year
Time frame: baseline and year 1
Outcome based questions will be used to assess the behaviours of social and service-related workers on using ICT in family services. Question scores range from 0 to 10. The higher score indicates the better outcome performance
5 secondary outcomes
The views of ICTs use in family services
Time frame: year 2 and year 3
The behaviours of using ICT in family services
Time frame: year 2 and year 3
The knowledge of using ICT in family services
Time frame: baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3
The attitude of using ICT in family services
Time frame: baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3
The perceived effects in related to using ICT in family services
Time frame: baseline, year 1, year 2 and year 3
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Nov 2021.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33415096Sit SMM, Lai AYK, Kwok TO, Wong HW, Wong YL, Lam EYW, Chan JYW, Kong FSW, Cham K, Ng CKK, Yip T, Tsui TSY, Wong CM, Wong BCL, Tang WY, Yam PW, Chui M, Wan A, Kwok YK, Lam TH. Process Evaluation and Experience Sharing on Utilizing Information Communication Technologies and Digital Games in a Large Community Family Health Event: Hong Kong Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project. Front Public Health. 2020 Dec 22;8:579773. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.579773. eCollection 2020.
- Description: The World Bank, 2016. Internet users (per 100 people).Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Tai-hing Lam, MD principal investigator
The University of Hong Kong
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Family Research, run by The University of Hong Kong at 1 site in Hong Kong.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Nov 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Hong Kong. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tai-hing Lam, MD (39179287, hrmrlth@hku.hk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The change in views of ICTs use in family services from baseline at 1 year (time frame: baseline and year 1). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03993951, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Nov 2021.