Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 12.1
Interview Results: Summary of Role and Main Concerns Envisioned by Different Actors with Regard to Social Embedding Process of
Visionary BAN Applications in Health Care
Actor
Description
Science
Envisioned
role
Envision a role in solving scientific and technological issues to enable further advancement of BAN technologies
(miniaturizing sensors and actuators, battery technologies, interoperability issues, and developing reliable
measurement methods). Technical scientists mainly focus on improving specific parts of the BAN concept (e.g.,
sensor reliability and functioning, battery and energy efficiency, signal processing, and efficient and secure ways of
data transfer). They are not likely to fulfill the role to prove effects on quality of life or care through clinical testing.
Such a role is mainly envisioned for scientists active in medical universities. Early interaction between these actors is
viewed to have positive effect on the societal embedding.
Main
concerns
Technical barriers such as reliability of the BAN systems, interoperability of devices, battery life and energy efficiency,
or even autonomy, information security issues, information management, and compliance with legacy systems, are
issues of main concern.
Have very limited resources available to clinical testing of applications. Large investments and samples population is
required to meet health-care regulatory requirements.
Large
companies
Envisioned
role
Large companies envision the role of developing and producing BAN devices to serve large and emerging health
markets (cf. monitoring chronically ill patients). Large and smaller companies do not view technical issues as main
barriers for societal embedding; rather the organizational complexity in health-care system of the Netherlands and
the highly regulated health-care sector is viewed as difficult to breakthrough.
Main
concerns
Technical barriers such as reliability of the BAN systems, interoperability of devices, battery life and energy efficiency,
or even autonomy, information security issues, information management, and compliance with legacy systems, are
issues of main concern.
Large companies have to focus on volume of products sold and therefore they will have to focus on maximizing
profits. There are concerns that BAN services might remain a niche product in health care. In contrast, the wellness
market is viewed as a huge opportunity.
Concern about the heavy investment requirements for clinical tests while the outset to the future adoption of the BAN
technologies remains obscure (this causes waiting games to emerge).
Concern about the ambiguity of who will eventually purchase the BAN products. A problem owner has to be
identified in the case of each visionary application so as to create more clarity on this issue.
Concerns relate also to the complexity of the health-care sector (highly regulated sector in the Netherlands).
