Healthcare-technology researcher Helianthe Kort

How does your work help to shape the world of tomorrow?

In my work as a lector, I mainly conduct research into technological opportunities for the healthcare sector. The average age of the population is rising, and we all want to live at home for as long as possible. The right technology can enable us to do this, and my research is devoted to this technology.

We also run projects enabling students to familiarise themselves with the technology of tomorrow. They can monitor and evaluate technological innovation in healthcare and make suggestions for improvements. Sometimes, they develop a new technological innovation themselves! In short, our contribution is to raise awareness of technological opportunities in healthcare among the professionals of tomorrow.

What does your work contribute to society? How does it impact me?

The impact is that within the education provided at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, attention is paid to healthcare technology. Many programmes train students in eHealth, healthcare robots and non-pharmacological interventions such as the influence of light on human health. Research shows that patients recover faster and employee welfare is increased when the buildings in which they stay or work let in a lot of light and the views feature a lot of greenery.

On Helianthe’s advice, this factor was taken into account during the construction of Meander Hospital in Amersfoort. A group of students conducted research into how the rooms should be organised. Just like the employees, the students also look further than just the patient’s illness when arranging the room: they also examine what can be done to the environment to ensure it provides a comfortable space for everyone using the area.

What is your dream? What do you want to achieve in the next 5–10 years?

By then I’d like healthcare professionals have a better understanding of how people are affected by the indoor environment. I hope they will have greater knowledge of non-pharmacological interventions that help contribute to a healthy life, and that they realise healthcare technology doesn’t always have to be expensive. Using nothing more than simple items that can be bought from a normal hardware shop, ordinary homes can be adjusted to allow senior citizens to live there independently for longer. For example, a sensor can detect when a resident moves their feet over the edge of the bed. When they do this in the evenings, this activates the ‘night-route lights’, which guide them to the toilet. This greatly reduces the likelihood of falling.

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