CHT2022 – Day One
Wednesday 11 May 2022
Today marked the official start of CHT2022! The day was packed with an exciting programme, including inspirational keynotes, interactive seminars, oral abstract presentations on the latest research, and a technology demonstration about a remote monitoring device called TytoCare.
Catch up on the day’s events below.
Breakfast Seminar
The conference kicked off with an engaging breakfast seminar delivered by Professor Paul Dimitri (NIHR Children and Young People MedTech Co-operative, England) and Professor Michael Hermanussen (University of Kiel, Germany).
Paul discussed how to define a framework for the future of digital health in paediatric growth hormone disorders and Michael spoke about measuring children’s growth at home using augmented reality technology.
The seminar was followed by an interactive Q&A, including questions around perceived barriers, incentivising parents, statistical techniques, and more!
Keynotes
The conference programme also included five inspirational keynote presentations from leading experts:
- Professor Mike English (University of Oxford and the KEMRI-Wellcome Programme, England and Kenya) delivered the first keynote of the conference and shared his experience of developing and disseminating health technologies in low- and middle-income countries.
- Emma Sparrow (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, England) discussed recipes for engagement with children and young people (CYP), and emphasised the importance of meaningfully involving CYP in health technology development.
- Dr Georgia Tsiliki (Purposeful, Greece) spoke about their work using technology to support the repurposing of medicines for rare diseases in children.
- Dr Ian Newington (National Institute for Health and Care Research, England) discussed the importance of finding the ladders and avoiding the snakes on the technology path in child health. Ian focussed on different funding routes and how the NIHR can support health technology development.
- Richard Stubbs (Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network, England) delivered the final keynote of the day and highlighted the importance of ensuring diversity in child health technology development.
Seminars
The first day of the conference also included three interactive and thought-provoking seminars:
- Professor Luc de Witte (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands) shared his work surrounding the potential of robotics for the development and wellbeing of CYP with disabilities.
- John Parker (Springhood Ventures, USA) discussed perceived challenges around investing in child health technology and why investing in technology for child health is often an overlooked opportunity.
- James Roberts (mOm Incubators, England) shared his story of how mOm Incubators provides global access to high-quality incubators around the world and how clinical teams can support technology development.
Technology Demonstration
Nicola Chicken and Ellen Barnes (Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network, England) showcased a remote monitoring device, called TytoCare, in our first technology demonstration of CHT2022.
Nicola and Ellen shared the work being conducted by the YHAHSN and partners to roll TytoCare out across the NHS, and how TytoCare can help to reduce tiring and difficult trips to hospital for unwell CYP and their families.
Abstract Presentations
We also heard from eight academic teams, who shared their latest research around developing technology for CYP.
Topics included:
- The co-creation of age-appropriate information materials about coronavirus;
- Co-designing a mixed realities playkit to prepare CYP for an MRI;
- Supporting CYP with mental health issues;
- Therapeutic drug monitoring in paediatric oncology;
- A communication aid for paediatric emergencies;
- Non-contact neonatal monitoring;
- A chatbot to facilitate conversations about genetic risk; and
- Real-time monitoring for in-patient deterioration.
Day one of the conference also invited delegates to participate in two sessions new to the CHT conference this year: a panel discussion with leading experts in artificial intelligence and data science, and an online networking session.
Panel Discussion
The panel discussion was chaired by David Cole. David Cole is Co-Founder of Thinking of Oscar (https://thinkingofoscar.com/) and Europe, Middle East, and Africa Leader for IBM Healthcare Consulting.
David was joined by Dr Timothy Chou (Stanford University, USA) and Dr Alberto Tozzi (Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital, Italy). The discussion focussed on the transformative power of healthcare data sharing, including the importance of healthcare and technology collaborating.
Networking Session
The networking session began by delegates introducing themselves to the wider group, and included opportunities for collaboration and discussions around the key challenges faced when developing technology for child health. Thanks to everyone who stayed after the first day of the conference to take part!
We’re looking forward to more inspirational and engaging content tomorrow!
Join in the conversation on Twitter by using #CHT2022.
