'Updating Icons of Healthcare': a public lecture by Professor Andrew Lowe
| Date: | Thursday 12 Aug, 4:30pm - 5:30pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | 55 Wellesley Street EastAuckland 1010 Auckland New Zealand |
| Cost: | Free |
What images do the words “healthcare” and “medical” bring to mind? Some enduring symbols for those in developed nations include people in white coats or blue scrubs. More than likely they have a stethoscope in hand, perhaps taking blood pressure. Another common association is the squiggly line that represents a heartbeat. There are relatively early origins for such modern associations: The stethoscope was invented in 1816, the blood pressure measurement device in 1881 and electronic records of heartbeats were first made in 1872. Since their invention, these mainstays of physical examination have changed remarkably little. There are many reasons for this, including that the technologies themselves have shaped and now comfortably fit established medical practice. Another reason is that such devices provide powerful diagnostic information in their current form, so why fix what isn’t broken?
In his inaugural professorial address, Professor Andrew Lowe will explore some of the little-recognised limitations and unrealised potential inherent in these technologies and describe current research that aims to refresh and update these archetypal icons of healthcare.
Andrew’s research focuses on creating cardiovascular measurement technologies that facilitate more effective primary, home and community healthcare. Prior to joining AUT, he spent 15 years in the roles of Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director at a medical device company. Before this he led software development for industrial, multi-axis cutting robots. His undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering and his PhD topic concerned artificial intelligence applied to anaesthesia monitoring.