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)21-04-23Gelegenheid 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]
