Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Concerns about underdeveloped/lack of infrastructure or national platform on which BAN technologies can function
(EPRs are facing huge implementation issues in the Netherlands).
Since BAN technologies are in initial developmental stages, there is no definitive standard (on interoperability of
devices). Competition among the rival developers and commercial interests to make their standard as industry
standard play a role and put much pressure on early cooperation among the industry players. Much more
coordination and alignment work inside the medical device industry is necessary to deal with standardization issues.
Concerns about possible gray zones in regulation regarding the transfer (cf. wireless transfer) of health-related data.
Technology-
oriented
SMEs
Envisioned
role
Envision the role of innovative R&D and serving of niche markets in health care.
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.
Concerns about lack of clear business cases that attend hidden agenda of all actors involved. Linked to this is the
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).
Concerns about lack of standards of interoperability but also regarding data storage and handing systems.
Government
Envisioned
role
Envisions a proactive role in stimulating and supporting innovations that enable efficiency in health care. Initiating
ethical debates and policy development where necessary (cf. wireless transfer of medical data and modes of security).
Also envisions the role of providing a safe infrastructure for storage and exchange of medical information (cf. EPR
and a national storage point through NICTIZ).
Main
concerns
Concerns about rising health-care costs due to demographic changes, such as aging society and increasing rate of
chronic illnesses.
Scarcity of health resources and medical professionals.
Concerns about the information provision to the users on new technologies.
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