Health innovation and technology, the role

of higher education institutes

Eveline Wouters Researcher and lecturer

Institute of allied health professions Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Eindhoven [NL]

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Health Innovations and Technology

Eveline Wouters

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Department of Health Innovations and TechnologyFontys University of Applied Sciences,

Institute of allied health professions

The role of higher education institutes

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BISC

Bridging Innovations to Sustainable Care

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Brainport region Eindhoven

Characteristics:

•cooperation between industry, re-

search + government (Triple Helix)

•open innovation environment before bringing products to market

Goal: future proof economy

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Government – University – Health Care institution + SME

Several projects in the region, e.g.:

SMART CARE (Slimme Zorg) programme

IAB4 projects

Higher education programmes:

RAAK

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Characteristics

•Concept: Triple helix cooperation

•And: involvement of the end user

•Plus: sharing knowledge between partners and the public

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Other regional activity

•Innovation network Smart living 2020

•Participant EU project Active and healthy ageing programme

•AAL forum (Eindhoven, 24-27 september 2012)

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Characteristics of the higher education institute

• Gaining new knowledge

• Distributing knowledge

• Student involvement

• Specific Fontys BISC: ‘the voice of the user’

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Examples

Smart care programme:

-Early detection of dementia

-Third generation assistive technology

-‘Circles of care’

Recent: RAAK / PhD project: ‘Ageing all right, with technology by your side’.

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Ageing at home + technology

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• Background: failing large scale implementation of technology for home care

• Goal: to find facilitators, barriers and moderators

• Design: longitudinal; individual interviews

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Partners

• Universities (2)

• Schools for vocational education (technology AND care) (4)

• Government (municipality of Helmond, Noord-Brabant)

• Health care institutions (2)

• Senior association

• SME: technology (3) and organisation (1)20-04-23Gelegenheid 11

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Chances and challenges

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Chances

• Open innovation

• Collaboration between disciplines niches, creativity

• Collaboration between countries

• Prominent involvement of end-user design relevant & close to the market

• Strengths and competences of partners

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Challenges

• Technology and business restrictions (competition, patents)

• Languages & jargon

• Specific for researchers: Intellectual property, dynamics of the curriculum, student specific goals, ethical & legal implications

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Health innovation and technology, the role

of higher education institutes’

Eveline Wouters Researcher and lecturer

Institute of allied health professions Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Eindhoven [NL]