Engineering Practical Solutions to Everyday Health Issues – Geoff Fernie
Today on your show we focus on “engineering practical solutions to everyday health issues” We will discuss the work on the reduction of falls which are the scourge of growing into old age. Biomedical engineering’s multidisciplinary nature has a critical role to play in meeting this challenge. It is a relatively new, distinctive, and multidisciplinary field that merges concepts in engineering to solve a wide and diverse array of problems tied to human health. Falls are a major safety concern, especially in older people. Approximately 28-35 % of people aged of 65 and above fall at least once every year. Bio-Med Engineering is also tackling prevention in the spread of disease.
Key Takeaways
- Professor’s work includes developing technologies to reduce infections, such as non-slip footwear and electronic systems that promote hand hygiene in hospitals.
- Hospital-acquired infections are a significant concern, with many caused by inadequate hand hygiene, highlighting the importance of practical solutions like the Buddy Badge system to remind healthcare workers to wash their hands.
- The commercialization of innovative health solutions often requires overcoming resistance to change, particularly in habits and behaviors, and relies on securing investments from angel investors.
- Successful application of research requires not only technological innovation but also a strong commitment to making these innovations accessible and integrated into everyday use, especially in challenging environments like healthcare settings
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) – Gabriele Craig & Manuela Stefan
This episode discusses equine therapy and its role in personal development and emotional healing. Hosted by Stephen Armstrong, the show examines how working with horses helps individuals reconnect with themselves and address emotional trauma. The episode focuses on the deep bond between humans and animals and how it can facilitate recovery and self-discovery.
Key Takeaways
- Equine therapy involves working with horses to facilitate emotional healing and self-discovery.
- Horses, especially large draft horses like Belgian breeds, help individuals build trust and overcome emotional barriers.
- The therapy is based on the mutual respect and understanding between humans and animals, fostering a safe space for reflection.
- Gabriele and Manuela emphasize the therapeutic bond formed during these interactions, which helps clients process emotions.
- Equine therapy has grown in popularity as a method of addressing mental health issues, offering an alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Technology Addiction – the Unintended Consequences of Technological Innovation – Didi Vergados & Lesley Mitchell-Clarke
This episode of Innovation Nation focuses on technology addiction and its unintended consequences on society. The show explores how the overuse of smartphones, social media, and other digital platforms can lead to addictive behaviors, stunting social development and causing emotional burnout. The discussion covers the psychology behind tech addiction and how it mirrors other process addictions like gambling.
Key Takeaways
- Technology addiction is becoming widespread, with people spending significant portions of their day glued to smartphones and other digital devices.
- Tech addiction functions as a process addiction, similar to gambling, where users seek a constant dopamine release from checking messages or interacting online.
- Overuse of technology can lead to social isolation, especially among younger people, as it stifles face-to-face communication and social development.
- People with addictive tendencies may be more prone to technology addiction, and external triggers, such as personal traumas, can exacerbate the problem.
- Hypnotherapy and neuro-linguistic programming can help break the cycle of addiction by retraining the brain and addressing the emotional and psychological root causes.