Scientists and Engineers' Role in Health Care - Literature review Example

Aging global population

The aging population is rapidly growing across the world with developed countries leading the path. Though this is a good indicator in dealing with maternal mortality as well as childhood illnesses, it poses foreseeable future challenges especially regarding health and economic burden to most countries. Aging has recently caught the attention of media with flush stories of aging. The World Health Organization has also recognised aging to bring about drastic changes in the disease pattern and preferences especially in most developed countries of the world. Aging is expected to shift the focus of resource allocation in the health sector to concentrate more on the growing aging population.

Factors contributing to aging population

One of the most significant factor leading to an aging population is the declining fertility in most countries. The world’s average fertility rate has fallen from 5 children per woman seen in 1950 to the current 2.5. It is expected that the number will drop further to 2 by the year 2050. The decline is more visible in the developed countries than in developing countries. The older population increases with a drop in the number of young children per family (Ballegaard et al. 2008).

Global life expectancy has improved over the years. It is expected that it will rise to an average of 75 years by the years 2050. In most developed countries, the level might even rise higher to an average of 82 years. The improved life expectancy has been associated with transforming technology in disease and medicine to handle conditions of the aging population (Clegg et al. 2013).

Furthermore, a fall in mortality levels is said to have come before a fall in fertility rate. Reduced mortality lead to high rates of survival of the many children born. The cohorts are now in the working and the aging population with the world facing declined levels of fertility in recent years.

Challenges posed by aging population

An aging population poses a key challenge in the rise of chronic diseases, which are responsible for nearly 60% of mortality. Among the most significant diseases are chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and mental illness. Policymakers have identified the economic significance of chronic illnesses to be very significant (Hussain et al. 2015).

The other challenge is on the strained pension schemes. With a growing aging population, the numbers of beneficiaries are increasing with a decreasing number of contributors. Therefore, it might mean that the premiums would be increased for the working population or changes made to offer compensation based on the ratio of working population to the retirees (Koch & Hägglund 2009).

Role of computer scientists and engineers in designing health-monitoring solutions

Computer scientists and engineers have a critical role to play in ensuring that our technology and infrastructure is in a position to address the needs of older people. Ii is only by doing so that they can ensure that the elderly leads healthy, productive, and independent lives. Unlike the aging population of the past decades, older people of today are more educated, diverse and live healthier lives (Liu et al. 2012).

The first role that computer scientists and engineers can play is in the diffusion of technology to cover various aspects of life. Technology has been integrated into various aspects of life such as in communication, entertainment and communication to facilitate everyday life. Most of the technology today such as health monitoring devices, safety, computers, and communications are being used in performing routine activities and tasks (Rocha et al. 2013).

Computer scientists and engineers have found increased technology use in in-home monitoring, delivery of services and interactive communication. The established channel has enhanced patient-physician communication with improved peer support and the transfer of health information. The engineers and computer scientists are expected to establish more evolved communication protocols shortly that will provide more powerful and efficient interactive services of the aging population cohort. The inclusion of robots to perform daily tasks is likely to facilitate the interaction of the elderly with the ever-changing environment and improve productivity even at old age (Rodeschini 2011).

Concisely, embracing the e-health and telemedicine is likely to boost the emotional and physical well-being of older people. Technology will enhance the connection between older people and their families making them feel physically and emotionally stable. Therefore, this has a great potential of boosting the quality of life among the elderly. Technology offers what can be termed as an easy channel of transition to retirement. It is seen in the way technology has helped many old people remain employed and more importantly in upgrading or maintaining their skills (Shibata & Wada 2011).

However, studies indicate that the potential benefits of technology among the elderly have not been fully realised by many. Around 32% of people aged 65 years and above were Internet users by the year 2007. People aged 50 to 64 years were found to have estimated 65% internet users. Based on the benefits that accrue to the use of internet at an advanced age, engineers and scientists have a critical role to play to help increase the number of internet users among the elderly. It can be through creating devices that are easy to use even among the elderly. Internet use of home broadband has been associated with improved social resources and reduced functional impairment (Vergados et al. 2008).

The designers of technology such as engineers and computer scientists have clearly ignored the aging population in their technology designs and inventions. They have shifted their focus to the young generation considering its acting and dynamic nature. Many technology designers do not consider them as a viable group that can benefit from technology advancements. The aging population is likely to have more technology experience in future but will experience more challenges adapting to new features of the technology. Therefore, it is apparent that computer scientists and engineers should change their perception of the elderly population, consider them as a viable group, and put their needs into account (Wang & Tsay 2012).

Moreover, the other key in designing health-monitoring solutions among the elderly is through human factors engineering. It is termed as the study of human beings, their interaction with equipment, environment, and products within the performance of activities and tasks. The studies could have a great impact in helping improve the quality of life and independence among the older people. Human factor engineering is designed to help the interaction between the environment and people and help improve the performance, quality, user satisfaction, comfort, and safety to maximise efficiency (Wilhelmson et al. 2011).

Computer scientists and engineers have a great role to play in creating user-centred systems which incorporate age-related changes in tendencies, preferences, and capabilities in products design and as well as tasks and the environment. The most significant approach is the use of user-centred design in addressing problems faced by the older population. It will help them in creating and enjoying independence even in their later years (Rocha et al. 2013).

Engineers have a crucial role to play when it comes to providing solutions to offset memory problems associated with integrating and comprehending medication schedules. There are many medication errors among the elderly that include taking an incorrect dosage, taking medicines at the wrong time, wrong combinations, or even failure to comply with special instructions such as to take before or after meals. The errors put them at risk of advance drug effects, which are more likely to result. The errors may be attributed to some factors such as cognitive problems, beliefs and individual perception as well as ineffective or failed strategies to encouraging compliance (Rodeschini 2011).

Based on medication error factor, engineers and computer scientists can create electronic pill dispensers, an organisation of medications with compartmentalised containers that are in line with the medication schedule. Memory can be enhanced with beepers, or voice mail reminders can be used to remind the elderly of appointment times for taking medication. The other factor is through the use of automated telephone messaging which helps in reminding clients with chronic diseases the appointment times in addition to reminding them on when to take medications. Moreover, engineering solutions can also look at the labelling of and packaging of various medications to ensure that they are user-friendly and educate clients on how to use the medications based on the type of condition (Liu et al. 2012).

Besides, engineering and computer science technologists have a major role to play in improving health care delivery among the elderly. They should enhance access to health care services and information for people with limited mobility secondary to aging. For instance, the Internet services give access to information to people with particular conditions, exercise program, diet, and medication. Incorporating technology can assist in reminding this group of people of appointments, strategies to apply in home health care regimens such as dietary schedules and regular check-up (Rocha et al. 2013).

Access to e-health has brought another important landmark of advances in health care technology. It has been observed to help increase consumers control over their health. The internet has helped older people get in touch with colleagues sharing similar conditions and health care personnel. Studies have continued to indicate the benefits that accrue from online support for the aging population. Therefore, engineers and computer scientists have to ensure that the technology-based applications are friendly, affordable, available and adequate training is accorded to the elderly to help them embrace e-health with ease (Vergados et al. 2008).

In addition, fragmented electronic medical records (EMRs) usually from different sources can be brought together with technology. They have been attributed to decreased medical care costs as well as improved quality and medical care. However, there are very few studies done on the use of EMRs in facilitating patient self-management especially for those at risk such as the elderly. Therefore, engineers and computer scientists should help in the designing of patient-oriented EMRs to facilitate access to patient information through an online portal. They also should ensure that a clear re-evaluation of the usability and usefulness of EMRs has been done properly to help in making the necessary adjustments (Wang & Tsay 2012).

Nevertheless, changes in technology have seen rampant changes in workplaces, work processes, and the delivery of job training and education. Engineers and computer scientists have a role in designing instructional materials for older learners to facilitate the acquisition of new skills. It will help them in adapting to the drastic changes taking place in the workplace. In addition, they should explore the benefits that accrue to teleworking which is changes in work arrangements seen in many workplaces (Rocha et al. 2013).

Technology keeps changing very often. The older population may be rigid at times at hesitant to take up the changes that come with technology. Health and medicine can be improved by embracing the merits that come with technology. Computer scientists and engineers have a crucial role to play in ensuring that they make user-friendly technology enable the elder generation achieve maximum benefits and improve the quality of life.