Healthcare

In this EngShort we look at digital transformation in the healthcare sector and creating an interoperable healthcare system.

Do you think the benefits of interoperability outweigh the challenges?

Find out more in our report

The global healthcare burden is growing due to new infectious diseases and ageing populations but research and development into new drugs continues to be a long and costly process.

Do you think artificial intelligence can help address these challenges?

Find out more in our report.

In this #EngShort we look at the lack in the use of #smarthometechnology in #caresettings and amongst #olderadults despite the advantages and health benefits they provide.

Smart home technology increases our #accessibility, improves our #decisionmaking and promotes #healthyageing. However, older adults and those in care settings still face barriers and obstacles when it comes to using these technologies.

The issue not only lies with training but also during the #research and #designprocess. Older adults are often underrepresented in #techresearch. How can we engage older adults in conversations about #tech #design, #security and #privacy?

This #EngShort by the IET looks at the importance and involvement of #patients in developing #healthcareinnovations. There are 2 different approaches when creating new #medical innovations and #technologies, #productdriven and #patientdriven. Can #patientinvolvement in the #design process through accelerator groups and tests help innovators better understand the problem and solution that is needed?

This #EngShort by the IET looks at the impacts of COVID-19 on #carehomes and #communitycare and the potential of #digitalinnovations to help. Care homes and older people have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic with many lives lost and some care homes at risk of closure. If we take advantage of engineering and technological innovations, can we improve our health and wellbeing?  

Artificial intelligence has changed the world of sports for players and fans, but is it fair to use AI? From goal-line technology, betting, recruiting, performance, analysis and broadcasting, we see the impacts of AI in sports. However, can AI make us stronger, faster or lighter? AI has given us access to data that we never had before.

Globally, over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 years. The misuse of technology can play a negative role in suicide and self-harm, leading to increased anxiety, loss of self-esteem and cyberbullying.

But it is important to acknowledge that suicides are preventable. Governments and health organisations need to be more proactive in their suicide prevention approaches. We know that e-Health and digital interventions can reach more people with fewer resources than face-to-face care, so can technology be leveraged for suicide prevention?

Vaccinations save 2-3 million lives every year and with the urgency for fast and effective solutions, countries have begun the race to find a COVID-19 vaccine. Despite vaccines usually taking up to 10 years to develop, some countries have predicted a vaccine by 2021 and others have shared earlier dates. This has caused concern amongst health professionals as well as the general public.

In a year, 1.5 million deaths could be avoided if more people were vaccinated, yet cost and vaccine hesitancy remain strong obstacles. How can we ensure that safety standards are being met and provide reassurance to those who are concerned? Would you get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Digital tools such as telehealth, remote patient monitoring and artificial intelligence could play a significant role in containing the outbreak of COVID-19.

Wearable devices have helped collect data such as temperatures, heart rates and respiration rates. Digital tools have helped detect worsening conditions and impending issues.

Although the accuracy of data is high and these digital tools help us learn about a disease, there are still challenges that they pose.

Companies and researchers are looking to use AI for drug discovery and with the rapid rise in drug resistance, new antibiotics are needed. Precision medicine is creating a new promise to cut drug costs and development time significantly.

But how will health inequalities related to genetic difference be addressed? What considerations need to be made?

Immersive health technologies provide new and enhanced healthcare solutions from mindfulness-based exercises to exposure therapy and PTSD management. VR and AR have also played a large role in physiotherapy, increasing recovery times and pain threshold levels.

But there are still many challenges, risks and obstacles that need to be considered to ensure the safety of those using it.

A successful public health response to an outbreak of a new infection depends on 4 factors.

We are currently seeing successful examples of AI being implemented to assist front line healthcare workers. With that said, the accuracy of AI systems depends on the amount and quality of the data they learn from.

Should AI continue to be implemented in healthcare technologies?

We are seeing a wide range of digital health innovations being used across the globe, from 3D printing to artificial intelligence.

So can digital health technologies play a role in limiting the spread of COVID-19?

As we solve new challenges, there is an increase in the adoption of digital health, but are these innovations abiding regulatory guidance?

With the world forced to change in response to COVID-19, can technology help with our social, physical and mental wellbeing?

The rapid growth of technology allows us to speak, hear and even see people from around the world but can it really replace being with each other…

The application of AI in healthcare is predicted to bring both opportunities and risks.

While it could cut costs and increase efficiency, questions about ethics, regulation and data control still remain.

Robots are beginning to assist surgeons in theatre, transforming the way operations are carried out.

A human surgeon is still needed to direct the robot's movements, but, could robots enhance the capabilities of open surgery and revolutionise the healthcare industry?

Could you be offered a VR headset next time you go to the hospital?

Virtual reality and immersive technology is set to revolutionise the Healthcare industry and is becoming an increasingly popular tool, from new forms of therapy across anxiety to pain management.