E-health

Researchers in this area:

Philip Abdelmalik
Athanasios Anastasiou
Matthew Breckons
Daniela Cassola
Guy Collins
Kurt de Freitas
Faye Doris
Benny Goodman
Professor Ray Jones
Dr Maged Kamel Boulos
Rashid Kashani
Celine Lewis
Dr Miriam McMullan
Professor Janet Richardson
Bryony Sheaves
Professor Heather Skirton
Dr Graham R Williamson

E-health

The focus of our work is on the impact of e-health (led by Ray Jones) and Next Generation Internet Solutions (led by Maged Boulos). Assessing the impact of e-health usually involves an interdisciplinary approach and we have projects and proposals at the various stages of evaluation from exploratory work, through pilots to randomised trials. Research into next-generation Internet solutions in health and social care includes research into e-learning, telehealthcare standardisation and interoperability, knowledge management/Semantic Web, technosocial predictive analytics and e-surveillance services, and Cancer GIS.

Examples of recent and current projects include exploration of a shared discussion forum between health professionals and young people who self harm (with Devon Partnership Trust), the development of decision support in the adoption of new technologies (with Derriford Hospital), e-health support for patients (with Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital), a rapid review of the impact of e-health services (for NHS Choices, report linked below), using the Internet for older people in rural areas (part of the grey and pleasant land project, see ageing and rurality), tailored information for obese adolescents (see dietetics and health), use of virtual worlds in occupational therapy (see rehabilitation), tailored information in genetic counseling (see applied health genetics), online methods for assessing cancer leaflets (with NCAT, see preventive and supportive care).

Research in next generation Internet solutions includes developing networked technologies for independent living of older people in partnership with other research partners across Europe, Internet GIS and virtual globes, and work in the social Web and networked social media. We have developed and implemented e-learning methods (webcasting with accompanying discussion forum) which can be used by both students and patients. See for example, our upcoming webinars at www.plymouth.ac.uk/faculties/health/webcasts. One of our aims is to reduce unnecessary travel and reduce the carbon footprint (see sustainability, society and health).

Work planned include trials of computer-patient interviewing, of different methods to raise awareness of online therapies, of patients access to their online records, and of e-health support for clinicians. There is considerable scope for applications for postgraduate research degrees in these areas.

Other links of interest:
Recorded webinar (Nov 2007) on e-health research (wmv file, 45 mins)
Presentation and summary of discussion from webinar (March 2008) on health kiosks
E-health: does it reach the parts that others don't reach? (wmv file) - Webcast 7th October 2008
NHS Choices 2009 (Word, 901KB)

Further Information:

Please contact Professor Ray Jones
or for business enquiries visit Enterprise Solutions

Research opportunities in this area:

Most groups provide research opportunities (including MPhil/PhD where available). Please get in touch with the contacts named above for further information.