New book pulls together recent research on wearable eHealth systems
A new book highlighting the results of recent research projects in the field of eHealth has been published by IOS Press. The book contains chapters on several EU funded projects and an introduction by Rosalie Zobel from the Commission's DG Information Society. The book has its background in the first ever international workshop on a new generation of wearable systems for eHealth that took place in Italy in December 2003. The results of various research projects are described under six headings, with an additional chapter on a debate that took place at the Italy event. The six headings are: - User needs, technological concepts and market trends; - Worldwide technical overview; - Smart wearable monitoring and diagnostic systems; - Smart wearable implantable disease management systems; - Biomedical clothing; - Smart fibres and fabrics: the challenges to wearable health. The aims of EU funded eHealth research have broadly been to improve the access, quality and cost efficiency of health care services through innovative information and communications technologies (ICT). 'The health sector faces great challenges that need to be urgently addressed at different levels,' writes Rosalie Zobel. 'In that respect, ICTs are critical enabling technologies that could improve access, quality and cost efficiency of healthcare systems.'