How do we keep healthcare accessible, affordable and staffable now and in the future? Technology can play an important role in this. Unfortunately is becoming It only used to a limited extent in healthcare and the social domain. The Living Lab Social Domain and Technology, a cooperation between among other things the Health Innovation knowledge center of The Hague University of Applied Sciences and the municipality of The Hague, wants to change that.

There are many technologies available in healthcare that help people to take control of their own lives for as long as possible and to continue to live independently at home. Think of a smart robot that helps to structure the day if you find that difficult. Or a sensor that registers if you fall and need help. Or video calls with a doctor or carer.

Use healthcare technology

Not all of these technologies are used in practice for various reasons. Unknown makes unloved, the role of technology is not always considered for solutions, costs can be an obstacle and people do not know what works well and what does not work well in practice. In short; there is a gap between what is available and what is used. The Health Innovation knowledge center of The Hague University of Applied Sciences and the municipality of The Hague want to bridge this gap with the Social Domain and Technology Living Lab.

Testing in practice

The smart healthcare technologies are tested in practice in the Living Lab. This happens, for example, in the iZi experience home, which is equipped with more than 90 smart aids that make daily life safer or easier. In addition, the Living Lab often also involves a set of agreements: What are we going to test? Where are we going to test? How are we going to test? Such a set of agreements helps to develop a clear method for research. For example, studies into the use of healthcare technology can be better compared with each other. Insights from research can also be shared quickly and widely with healthcare practice.

Research and practice

In the Living Lab, researchers and students work together with people who need support and/or healthcare professionals. For example, the insights from the Living Lab fit in well with the needs of people who want to continue living at home with technology (for longer) and with the daily care practice. The Living Lab is part of the action program Care & Innovation of the municipality of The Hague.

Research within the Living Lab