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.
