Introduction to Smart eHealth and eCare Technologies

Both the demographics and lack of resources in the health and well-being industry are increasingly forcing us to find alternative solutions for individualized health and social care. In an effort to address this issue, smart technologies present enormous potential in solving this challenge. This book strives to enhance communication and collaboration between technology and health and social care sectors. The reader will receive an extensive overview of the possibilities of various technologies in care sectors (including ICT, electronics, automation, and sensor technology) written by experts from various countries. It will prove extremely useful for engineers developing well-being related systems, software, or other devices that can be used by professionals working with people with specialist needs, well-being and health service providers, educators teaching related courses, and upper level undergraduate students and graduate student studying related topics. The technology focus of the book is widespread and addresses elderly care and hospitals, in addition to solutions for various user groups, devices, and technologies. Beyond serving as a resource for nurses and people working in care sector, the book is also meant to give guidelines for engineers developing person-centered systems by exploring the integration of these technologies into service systems.

Sari Merilampi is currently Head of Well-being Enhancing Technology research group at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. She is also a founding member, shareholder, and board member of an electronics development company Porel Ltd in Finland. She received the M.Sc. degree in electrical engineering from Tampere University of Technology (TUT), Pori in December 2006 and D. Sc. (Tech.) degree in June 2011. Sari’s current research work includes new application possibilities of RFID, especially in the field of well-being and sensing, as well as well-being enhancing technology solutions in general. She has also worked with (mobile) games as a new tool for self-activation and rehabilitation. Sari has authored numerous publications in the field of passive UHF radio frequency identification (RFID), new technological tools for care sector as well as materials and manufacturing methods of electronics. Her personal goal is to enable living to full-capacity by means of person-centered technology. Sari can be contacted by e-mail: sari.merilampi@samk.fi.

Andrew Sirkka works as a Principal Lecturer on Care & Technology at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland. He received his MNSc degree from the University of Tampere in 1996, and Dr.Ed. from the University of Turku in 2001. Dr. Sirkka has a long international career as an expert lecturer and senior advisor in various countries. He was nominated as doctor honoris causa in 2010 at Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Additionally, Dr. Sirkka has been a member in numerous scientific boards, editing committees, and he has authored a number of publications in the field of healthcare. At present, Dr. Sirkka is a member in well-being enhancing technology research group at Satakunta and Turku Universities of Applied Sciences. He is also a member of the organizing committee in European Master Care and Technology consortium education. He can be contacted by e-mail: andrew.sirkka@samk.fi