Delft Design at Health Convergence in Rotterdam with Hugo de Jonge

On Wednesday 7th July, Delft Design researchers presented their collaborative work for human-centered healthcare to Dutch Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge who was visiting the Convergence Square at Erasmus MC to get an update on the current affairs of the Health and Technology Convergence.

Elif Ozcan-Vieira talked about the ICU of the Future project, with its goal to reduce ICU patient readmission and patient psychological disorders after ICU stay. Next to this, the aim is also to increase ICU capacity and improve job satisfaction of healthcare providers. The vision of the Critical Alarms Lab of IDE in this project is a human-centred, data-driven healthcare system.

I’m proud of our work done so far at the Critical Alarms Lab, part of our Delft Design Labs. Our lab’s reach is now beyond science and towards policy change that can help humanise the healthcare system, especially for critical care.
Elif Ozcan Vieira

Professor Maaike Kleinsmann presented the recently launched Health Start Initiative. This project aims to develop interventions to improve the starting position of young children in Rotterdam. Because where you are born still says a lot about the opportunities you have for a healthy life where you can explore your talents.

Next to this, Professor Kleinsmann also handed Minister De Jonge the recently published sector portrait for design engineering sciences, which highlights the design sector’s role in connecting technological developments with the needs of people and society, thereby helping solve some of the most urgent societal challenges including our healthcare system.

University presidents Tim van der Hagen of Delft University of Technology, Ernst Kuipers of Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, and Ed Brinksma of Erasmus University Rotterdam, together with IDE Professor Richard Goossens, also met with the minister to further establish strong links for the health and technology convergence that is happening amongst these major scientific institutions.