e-health arena HVL

Care technology can give people new opportunities for independence and security, and so that they can manage by themselves in their everyday lives.

Different forms of technology can function as a form of support for its users, as well as for their relatives and employees in the health and social sector. The aim is to: provide users with the capacity to manage by themselves as far as possible in their everyday lives; give both the users and their relatives a heightened level of security and relief; provide users with the opportunity to participate in the user network and to keep in contact with each other. Furthermore, we also aim to ensure that all parties are better able to obtain information and receive instructions, which is done through web-based programmes and new forms of social media. This also increases the capacity to use the resources to a greater extent when facing future challenges regarding care. The purpose of care technology is to contribute in the solving of specific, realistic problems and demands.

Norway has a unique opportunity to facilitate this innovation and development within a labour-intensive sector, and to simultaneously contribute to the development of the Norwegian trade and industry, which in turn creates new opportunities for businesses. Norway can take a leading position as an innovator, through the development of new technological opportunities. Workplaces within the health and care sector could also become more attractive as a result, in light of their investments in technology that help make it possible for people to live their lives, their whole lives.

With a focus on services for the home, the municipality has changed the content of its services, how people work, and the way in which the health and social sector functions. Care technology brings about changes that affect the employee, the users and their relatives, and how the sector is organised. First and foremost, these changes will require significant use of resources, especially considering the aim here is to then channel the human resources to where they are needed the most. Technology will not replace the people who work within the health and social sector. Rather, it is regarded as a necessary form of support and supplement to the sector’s employees, if the sector shall maintain the quality of its services.

Calculations show that the implementation of technology can be economically profitable for society as a whole. In addition, welfare technology will also be even more vital for all in the future, for the sick and the healthy. This technology provides a great capacity for mastering one’s everyday life and to help people feel safe when living in their own home.

Providing an increased self-sufficiency and a heightened level of security are the main objectives for a majority of the projects based in care technology. Furthermore, new technology used in the right way can generate positive outcomes for the employee too, as it contributes by reducing the amount of heavy work they must perform, providing safer follow-up procedures, and in enhancing the quality of their work and interactions.