06 December 2021

It was finally possible on 14 October 2021 for the Centre for Medical Humanities and Bioethics (CMHB) to open the doors on its first scientific salon, with a focus on e-health, digitalisation and robots in healthcare.

Ericka Johnson, professor at Department of Thematic Studies - Gender studies.
Ericka Johnson, professor at Department of Thematic Studies - Gender studies. Photographer: Magnus Johansson

“We wanted our salons to initiate dialogue in depth, so we’ve waited until we could hold them physically, rather than online. It’s just great that it’s finally possible”, says Lisa Guntram, coordinator at CMHB.

CMHB director Kristin ZeilerCMHB director Kristin Zeiler Photo credit Magnus JohanssonE-health and digitalisation are intended to create and strengthen to preconditions for good healthcare and social care. Using robots in the healthcare system will not only reduce the burden on personnel, but also improve the healthcare given. Research at Linköping University includes projects in e-health, digitalisation and robots in healthcare, while Region Östergötland has projects in e-health and methods using digital technology to provide better home healthcare services. At a national level, the Vision for eHealth 2025 initiative is one centre of Sweden’s activities in the field.

What challenges and opportunities does this growing field present?

The panel members shared their perspectives, and discussed the issues with 30 invited guests. The latter included people from regional and national levels working in healthcare and social care, both within academia and outside.

Panel members:

• Tiny Jaarsma, professor at the Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences

• Ericka Johnson, professor at the Department of Thematic Studies and CMHB

• Håkan Örman, associate professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering

• Erik Reinicke, project manager at Region Östergötland

• Karina Tellinger, coordinator within Vision for eHealth 2025.

A forum for reflection

“We want to gather politicians, healthcare personnel and researchers from different backgrounds at our scientific salons, and invite them to dialogue centred on multifaceted questions. Dialogue will be a crucial part of the salons, to illuminate expected and unexpected aspects of health challenges, and new medical technology and practices”, says Lisa Guntram, coordinator at CMHB.

The concept has been inspired by scientific salons arranged under the auspices of the Young Academy of Sweden (SUA), and salons will be a regular event in the CMHB calendar. One scientific salon will be arranged every term to illuminate a current topic. After a brief introductory talk and a panel discussion, the panel members and other participants will hold round-table discussions to share reflections and experiences.

“In an age that seeks rapid answers, our scientific salons offer the opportunity to reflect on serious questions, from several perspectives”, explains Kristin Zeiler, director of CMHB.

CMHB will organise further activities during the spring of 2022. Information will be published on the website as it becomes available.

 

 

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