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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