Friday 27 January 2017

Technology, who cares?! Inaugural Lecture by Professor Luc de Witte

Join us at 5.15pm on Friday 10th March for Professor Luc de Witte’s Inaugural Lecture entitled “Technology, who cares?!”

In his talk, Professor Luc de Witte will discuss how technology can play a role in our search for new models of care and support. He will present examples of research that on the one hand show the potential but in the meantime illustrate the complexity of introducing technology in everyday care practice.

Abstract:

One of the most challenging trends in today’s healthcare in western societies is the increasing incidence and prevalence of chronic health conditions, paired to a decrease in the number of available healthcare professionals and a relative decrease of available financial means. This trend creates an enormous pressure on our healthcare systems and only few people will disagree with the statement that the sustainability of these systems is at stake. There is a clear need for new models of care and support for people with chronic conditions, including frail older people. Also, in developing low-and middle-income countries, the need for innovative concepts of care and support is increasing, since these countries have to develop healthcare systems that are sustainable and able to deliver cost-effective care for fast growing numbers of people.

Technology can and will play a major role in future health and care, both in western societies and internationally. There has never before been a time in which technology has developed as fast as it does today and in which so much knowledge was available. The potential to develop powerful answers to the challenges in health and care we face is therefore obvious. But, sparking and fostering this potential to the fullest is far from easy. Many new technologies have only lead to increased costs of care instead of more cost-effective sustainable models.

Date and venue:

Friday 10 March 2017
From 5.15 pm – 6.30 pm, followed by drinks reception
Lecture Theatre 1, The Diamond, University of Sheffield, S3 7RD

Professor Luc de Witte’s talk will be introduced by Professor Dame Pamela Shaw, Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health.

About Professor Luc de Witte:

Professor Luc de Witte is trained as a medical doctor, but has never practiced medicine. He has always worked on practice oriented research in the field of rehabilitation and long term care, including elderly care, care for people with mental or physical disabilities and care for people with chronic diseases. Before moving to Sheffield in October 2016 he was Professor of Technology in Care at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and Director of an Innovation Centre (EIZT: www.eizt.eu) connecting more than 35 partners in healthcare, industry and academia.

Professor Luc de Witte has recently been appointed within ScHARR to work in the Centre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare (CATCH). CATCH has as its mission to contribute to the sustainability of long-term healthcare in the UK and internationally through:
      supporting the development of assistive and care technologies;
      researching their added value and effectiveness;
      supporting organisations in healthcare practice with the implementation of these technologies and care models;
      supporting companies with the development and evaluation of new assistive and care technologies; and
      training of professionals and researchers in this field and dissemination knowledge.

Booking is required for this lecture. The booking system will open on Monday 13th February 2017 here. If you would like to express your interest in attending this event and receive a reminder when registration opens, please contact Kathryn Rooney on k.rooney@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 22 25453.






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