SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STUDIES

Telecare at home

Imagine that you were able to give chronic patients more control over their diseases. For example, imagine being able to let patients make their own heart videos with telecare machines. Health care would become less expensive and the patient less dependent: everyone would be happy. Or perhaps not... . According to Nelly Oudshoorn, Professor at the Science Technology and Policy Studies group (STePS) and 2009 winner of the (American) Diana Forsythe Award, there is room for conflict in such a scenario. After all, the patient must do what the system asks (e.g. measure blood pressure or make a heart video), and that can create resistance. Moreover, this research builds upon Oudshoorn's previous research, Telecare At Home, a project undertaken with the aid of a NWO grant of 510,000 Euros, which showed that patients place a high value on human feedback. "We will now interview patients and system designers. We're interested in the question of how much control is accorded to technology, and how much autonomy is left over for the patient. When you consider that 90 per cent of these kinds of designs never reach the market, this kind of scholarship is certainly very valuable."

For more information: www.amia.org/primary-links/2009-award-recipients

VIDEOS

Nelly Oudshoorn
Professor
Telecare at home and review 2009
(04:45 minutes, double-click to enlarge video)

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International Praise for STePS

Lissa Roberts (STePS) was appointed as Professor for Long-term Development of Science and Technology. For Roberts, it was a very productive year with the publication of a book - a collaborative project - and the editing of two smaller publications. "Two subjects keep coming back. The place of research and technology in world history, and the historic relationship between science and technology. Current technology scientists believe that partnerships with companies are a contemporary phenomenon, but technology, science and their applications have been intertwined for a long time. In global terms, the historical context is also significant. It is really not for the first time that China and India are playing a role in our world!" As far as Roberts is concerned the 'lessons learned' hold valuable insights for the future, and therefore for more policy-related research themes within STePS, which itself has enjoyed a very successful year. An international committee praised all three of STePS's research groups as worldwide trend-setters.