Distance is not a barrier to health
Poikela, Paula (2015)
Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-316-077-4
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-316-077-4
Tiivistelmä
We live in a society that cherishes and upholds welfare. This is no longer done strictly with ”elbow grease”, but rather using a variety of innovations – welfare technology innovations. The purpose of technology is to help not only those who need help, but also employees in their daily work.
We have grown accustomed to the idea that technology is not needed until some part of our bodies starts to give out. That is when the latest welfare technology solutions come to the rescue. In the field of medicine, we could provide a long list of medical advances made over the centuries. Wars in particular have served as milestones in development, but in a positive sense. These advances still have an impact on our lives. Many technological breakthroughs promote patient and client safety. Perhaps the greatest amount of media attention has been given to heart transplants, which would not be possible without the inventions that laid the foundation for these procedures. Many innovations have been developed in the best interests of the patient and client, who are not even aware that such technologies are being used in their treatment. The transmission of X-ray images and video consultations are tools that have been introduced recently. Effectively erasing distances, the use of welfare technology is of particular importance to the remote areas of Lapland.
The technologies used to ensure health and welfare are intended for people of all ages. At an early age, our smart, inventive youths begin coming up with new technological solutions to make their lives easier. Three welfare-related inventions developed by youths were introduced at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2014 in San Francisco. Ranging from 15 to 18 years of age, one of the youths stood out. He had developed a mobile phone application, which alerted the user to the onset of diabetic neuropathy. He himself was diagnosed as a diabetic.
Emma (8 years old) came up with an idea for a ”cleaning she-robot”, which would improve her welfare by keeping her messy room in order. The illustration shows that she had numerous alternatives in mind for she-robot accessories and her own welfare. She also came up with her own assembly instructions. Now is the time to put ideas into action – let’s make the she-robot a reality and improve everyone’s life! Or, perhaps we should wait until Emma has developed her math skills a bit more so she herself can build the she-robot for everyone’s benefit. The price might also come down a bit by that time.
The purpose of this publication is to take a practical look at welfare technology from the point of view of employees, researchers, developers and educators. This publication opens the discussion on a topic, where the sky is the limit for development. Members of Generation Z (iGeners), who do not think or act like previous generations, are just now coming of age (Liisa Välikangas, Professor of Innovation Management, 4 April 2014 interview in Businesslike OY). As this generation enters the scene, will the sky still be the limit?
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved and to send a special thank you to Sini for her efforts in completing this publication.
Come see what we have been innovating for the past two years!
Rovaniemi 31 January 2015
We have grown accustomed to the idea that technology is not needed until some part of our bodies starts to give out. That is when the latest welfare technology solutions come to the rescue. In the field of medicine, we could provide a long list of medical advances made over the centuries. Wars in particular have served as milestones in development, but in a positive sense. These advances still have an impact on our lives. Many technological breakthroughs promote patient and client safety. Perhaps the greatest amount of media attention has been given to heart transplants, which would not be possible without the inventions that laid the foundation for these procedures. Many innovations have been developed in the best interests of the patient and client, who are not even aware that such technologies are being used in their treatment. The transmission of X-ray images and video consultations are tools that have been introduced recently. Effectively erasing distances, the use of welfare technology is of particular importance to the remote areas of Lapland.
The technologies used to ensure health and welfare are intended for people of all ages. At an early age, our smart, inventive youths begin coming up with new technological solutions to make their lives easier. Three welfare-related inventions developed by youths were introduced at the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) 2014 in San Francisco. Ranging from 15 to 18 years of age, one of the youths stood out. He had developed a mobile phone application, which alerted the user to the onset of diabetic neuropathy. He himself was diagnosed as a diabetic.
Emma (8 years old) came up with an idea for a ”cleaning she-robot”, which would improve her welfare by keeping her messy room in order. The illustration shows that she had numerous alternatives in mind for she-robot accessories and her own welfare. She also came up with her own assembly instructions. Now is the time to put ideas into action – let’s make the she-robot a reality and improve everyone’s life! Or, perhaps we should wait until Emma has developed her math skills a bit more so she herself can build the she-robot for everyone’s benefit. The price might also come down a bit by that time.
The purpose of this publication is to take a practical look at welfare technology from the point of view of employees, researchers, developers and educators. This publication opens the discussion on a topic, where the sky is the limit for development. Members of Generation Z (iGeners), who do not think or act like previous generations, are just now coming of age (Liisa Välikangas, Professor of Innovation Management, 4 April 2014 interview in Businesslike OY). As this generation enters the scene, will the sky still be the limit?
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved and to send a special thank you to Sini for her efforts in completing this publication.
Come see what we have been innovating for the past two years!
Rovaniemi 31 January 2015