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Editorial
Innovation and Caring From a Distance
In this edition of the Indian Journal of Medical Informatics, we explore and invite you to
read two contributionsan innovative application that depends on distance-basedmonitoring and an appraisal of training needs and personnel strength in delivering
telecare in India. In the first of the two articles, Kar et.al describe the building and
evaluation of Gaitsense, an application that puts sensors on the body of the users that cantransmit messages decoded remotely to detect fall and facilitates management of falls and
injuries real time [1]. In the second paper, Zayapragrassarazan et al present results of
their pilot study exploring issues around training needs of telemedicine among health
workers in India [2]. Taken together, these two articles weave stories of novelapplications and state of the service and show promise on the one hand of harnessing
technology, and identifying areas where more training is needed to put these innovations
in practice.
Dario Farina et al (2012) contend that utility of wearable devices require computational
and communicational support while the users physical and mental capabilities areactively engaged with the physical environment [3]. The GaitSense project offers a novel
solution freeing up this requirement by moving analysis to remote locations enabling
rapid response. This brings into focus operational issues such as coordinating care andbusiness models that will enable deployment of novel technologies. While they have used
sensor monitors working within a limited area, co-ordination through mobile phones and
its already established networks seems a distinct possibility. In a review of wearable
sensors and systems, Patel et al (2012) noted an eventual need for establishing business
models for translating research toward achieving remote monitoring of older adults topractice and envisioned costs and reimbursement mechanisms in a US context [4]. In an
Indian context, availability of trained personnel to effectively translating research intopractice remain an issue. This was addressed in the article by Zayapragrassarazan et al
(2013) where they present their findings from the pilot study. A need for bringing
together diverse worlds of innovation and translational research and studies exist to look
into issues around technology and their applications.
References
[1] Kar, S., Sarangi, S., & Bisht, A. (2013). Fall Detection and Activity Monitoring with
Wireless Sensor Networks.IJMI, 7(3).[2] Zayapragassarazan, Z., & Kumar, S. (2013). Training Needs of Telemedicine Staff
A Pilot Study.IJMI, 7(3).
[3] Farina, D., Cianca, E., Marchetti, N., & Frattasi, S. (2012). Special issue: wearable
computing and communication for e-Health.Medical & biological engineering &
computing, 50(11), 11178. doi:10.1007/s11517-012-0976-7
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[4] Patel, S., Park, H., Bonato, P., Chan, L., & Rodgers, M. (2012). A review of wearable
sensors and systems with application in rehabilitation.Journal of neuroengineering
and rehabilitation, 9(1), 21. doi:10.1186/1743-0003-9-21