The ‘Take Care in Kleve’ event will take place on the Kleve campus from 29 to 30 November 2019. Together with Care for Innovation e.V., the university is hosting this two-day conference, which focuses on testing, experiencing and developing innovative solutions for the care sector. Andreas Westerfellhaus, State Secretary and Federal Government Commissioner for Care, will deliver a keynote speech.
As part of the event, Andreas Westerfellhaus, State Secretary and Federal Government Commissioner for Nursing Care, will also deliver a keynote speech.
How can care staff be made even more enthusiastic about digitalisation?
Care staff are much more open to digitalisation than is often assumed. Whether it’s tablets in home care or a wide variety of documentation systems in hospitals – care staff are already working on screens during every shift. Staff simply need to be convinced of the benefits of a digital application. And they must not be left to their own devices when using a new application, but must be trained and given guidance.
What needs to be taken into account to ensure that digitalisation actually frees up more time for those receiving care?
This is achieved above all when an app or piece of software saves time on paperwork and simplifies the exchange of data between healthcare professionals. Digital applications should make care data available quickly and securely where it is needed, e.g. vital signs, hospital discharge summaries, prescriptions, etc. An application must be intuitive to use and must not overwhelm me with problems I wouldn’t have without it.
How important do you think artificial intelligence will be in the care sector of the future?
I believe that algorithms can help to identify care needs from large sets of care data and match patients with targeted services. However, the human touch must not be overlooked. Care is a responsible, deeply human task. Ultimately, it should always be people who decide on patient care, not algorithms. The potential of robotic systems in care should not be overestimated.
“Take Care in Kleve” will take place on 29 November 2019 from 12:00 to 18:00, followed by a social gathering, and on 30 November 2019 from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm at the Kleve Campus of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Marie-Curie-Straße 1, in the lecture theatre centre, Building 01. The event is open to care professionals, associations, organisations, politicians, start-ups, founders, students and trainees, as well as anyone else with an interest in the subject. Attendance is free of charge. However, registration (via Eventbrite) is required by 27 November 2019.
