Dr. Daniël De Coninck (Fonds) : Caring Technology

It is impossible today to think of any healthcare or personal support that does not resort to technology. Think, for instance, about the sensors to prevent people falling, video-consultations that enable you to be in contact with your healthcare provider outside the doctor’s surgery or hospital, wearables that monitor the parameters of your body and the various applications used for your health and well-being.

Digital technology modifies both a person’s healthcare and well-being as well as our behaviour and the manner in which healthcare professionals and the public communicate with each other. All of these technological tools and support aids collect data about the user, patient or client.  But who does what with the data collected in this way? What about personal privacy? With which principles must the technological innovations of today and tomorrow comply? How can we anticipate and prepare for these developments, instead of simply sustaining one wave of technology after another?

The eight principles for caring technology guide the development and use of technological innovations aimed at improving people’s health, well-being and quality of life in their daily lives.