Can gaming technology solve some of the challenges in the helath sector? This was the main topic of the seminar that Oslo Medtech hosted together with The Norwegian Computer Society and the Department of Informatics .
Project results shows that gaming technology may succesfully be used for the activation of the elderly, according to Mektron. Lærdal Medical uses various forms of simulation to train people to save lives. Østfold hospital uses game technology to simulate hospital services. SimSurgery develops training simulator for Laprascopic Surgery.
- Read the article "Bowling bremser Alzheimer" written by Cille Berglund, the Norwegian Computer Society.
- See also Morten Dæhlen, Head of Department for Informatics at UiO's blog on the subject at Dærnt''s Corner, a Norwegian blog on research and IT.
- Oslo Business Memo moderated the debate - see their website for articles and pictures from the seminar.
Egil Utheim from Mektron AS spoke about an experiment in Drammen (Villa Fredrikke) where they use game technology for the activation of the elderly and people who have developed dementia. Their project show that elderly people get more motivated for training when there are games implemented in the training program. Mektron AS works in general with the development of a robotic supporter who can help the elderly that need care to stay longer at home. Game technology solutions are used in this product.
Ole Jakob Elle gave an overview of Intervention Centre (University of Oslo) projects in robotics, where they also use gaming technology solutions. Elle, who also is an assosiate to the Department of Informatics, also showed a new video in which students use Kinect to control a robot.
Microsoft was also present and we also received a lengthy presentation on Kinect - a lot of fascinating technology neatly packed into a few small boxes, that can be used in the development of new solutions and services for the health sector.
SimSurgery, which has developed a training simulator for Laproscopic surgery, gave a presentation of their product and how Laprascopic Surgery can help the health sector reduce costs and improve the quality of the patient treatment.
Laerdal Medical, which supplies a large portfolio of products and services in medicine and health, were also present with a presentation. I noted particularly SimCenter, which, through various forms of simulation helps train people so that they are better equipped to handle situations in which life must be saved!
Lager nettbutikk av livredning - Stavanger Aftenblad
The Managing Director of Østfold Hospital, Just Ebbesen, that are in the middle of the planingprocess of he new hospital in Østfold, spoke about how the new Østfold Hospital, that will be completed in 2014, will use game technology (on-line gaming ) to simulate the hospital services. The goal is to develop a more cost-effective and patient-friendly hospital. They will drive service innovation in a virtual model of the hospital before it is put into practice.
