Welcome to the Health Battle

Rijnstate

Case 1: Crystal analyser.
The development of a crystal analyser for the identification of crystals in synovial fluid.

Crystal formation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several human diseases. Well known examples are renal stones and gallstones. In rheumatology there are several diseases which are related to the formation of crystals in joints, tendons and soft tissues. Gout is the result of the formation of natriumurate crystals in joints, pseudo-gout is caused by the formation of calciumpyrofosfate crystals. Other known crystals in joint diseases are hydroxy- apatite crystals and cholesterol crystals. The purpose of this project is to identify different types of crystals in synovial fluid by developing an optical device which measures transmitted light through the crystals . This device will help the medical physician to diagnose more valid crystal induced diseases.

Case 3:No!besitas
Obesity, a growing problem in children, is defined as a chronic disease, in which fat is accumulated into the whole body and resulting in serious health problems.

Not only physical- but also psychological problems. In the Netherlands respectively 14.5 and 17.5% of the boys and girls is overweight; and >10% of these children is obese. The treatment consists of combined life style interventions (decreasing energy intake and increasing physical activity). In order to introduce and maintain this new life style cognitive behavioral therapy plays a pivotal role.

The purpose of this project is to develop a "new digital coaching tool", which will be integrated in the multidisciplinary treatment plan in order to increase the efficacy of the program.

Case 2: Coloncancer
Do I have a high(er) risk to develop coloncancer?

Coloncancer is in the top 3 of cancers in the Western countries. In several countries a coloncancer screeningprogram has been or will be started. Generally, population screening starts at the age of 55 years. However, people may have a higher risk to develop coloncancer and should be screened earlier, e.g at the age of 25 or 45 years. Moreover, a significant part of people aged <55 years are to early referred for a screening colonoscopy because of an wrongly assumed higher risk.

How to deal with this problem? The creation of a multimedia solution?

Martijn Schrama

Floor Neijens

Petra van Setten

Marcel Spanier

Rob Robijn

Amanda Branten

Laura Kienhorst

Matthijs Janssen

Zorgverzekeraar VGZ

Situation:
Most of us are quite healthy, but let's be honest; do you smoke when things get really tight, did you really needed that last drink last night? Did you get enough sleep last night? Sure we are healthy now, but how will this be in 10 years, or even 5?

Case 1:
'How can we, as an health insurance company, reach our healthy population and our healthy population who have some risk factors (like smoking, drinking, bad eating, etc)?'

The goal is to get an overview of the people with health risks in order to set up an effective communication plan about the risks, the opportunities to decrease the health risks and to be healthier in the long term.

Case 2:
'How can we, as an health insurance company, motivate our healthy population who have some risk factors (like smoking, drinking, bad eating, etc) to work on their health?' (e.g. How can we use our healthy population to be health leaders / example for the unhealthier others?)

The goal is to get a concrete product, plan, game, etc which we can use to motivate our insurees with some health risks in order to decrease the health risks and to be healthier in the long term.

Jaqueline Batenburg

Marien Gramser

Jorn Leistra

Leonie Voragen

VSM

Research has shown that many students suffer from health problems. A study in Amsterdam showed that more than half of all students suffered from (mental) health problems. It is also known that students are reluctant to search for help. Instead of asking for help many rely on self help (books, medication (Ritalin) etc). Untreated physical or mental health complaints frequently have an unfavourable outcome. When no action is undertaken, problems can worsen and vulnerability increases. This often leads to delay in study progress or unwanted study drop out (not only unfavourable for the student but also a huge cost for society). The current scale sizes of universities and colleges together with the increasing study pressure may increase the pressure on the students and hence their problems.

Please investigate the extent of this problem:

- How many students suffer from mental health problems and rely on self help?
- What kind of help/products do they rely on? Is there a potential for a natural registered medicine?
- How can these students be convinced and motivated to act on these solutions to solve their mental health problems?

Sascha Gooijer

Annelies Klink

Sint Maartenskliniek

Case :

Effective social media use by hospitals
Social media have become a common means of communication for an increasing number of people. Our patients, doctors, employees, government agencies and other stakeholders are all active in the social media hemisphere. They talk about, interact with and rate the Sint Maartenskliniek, its patients and employees.

In the past patients would talk about their doctors with friends or for example at birthday parties, and hospital employees would tell their loved ones or friend about a patient or work experience that he or she interacted with that day. That still happens but with the difference that the doctor or patient, even when no names are called, can now actually also follow that conversation. This creates opportunities and threats.

Monitoring brand related social media is the first step but how do you educate employees about de dangers and possibilities that social media content offers and activate them to effectively use social media in a hospital setting.

In this case study we would like the students to focus their efforts on the dilemma for hospitals and employees to manage the mingled private and business communication in social media without causing privacy issues. Creating awareness of the 'unknown' risks for employees while encouraging them to investigate and make use of the opportunities.

Willem Romijn

Evelyn Fransen

Pontes Medical

Case: @home seizure monitoring.

From a market perspective, home seizure monitoring remains a niche market. Remarkable, as in the Netherlands alone, around 30.000 patients have intractable epilepsy, which is the category that can really harvest the benefit.

The challenge that lies ahead is to find the right triggers to break through and enable the true market potential. More suitable, viable and creative business models are needed. We invite you to take up this challenge.

Martien van Bussel

Judith van Andel

Rutger van Merkerk

Deerns

Case:
Can we reduce postoperative wound infections?

Postoperative wound infections (POWIs) are mainly caused by the exposure of the patient to microbes or viruses during surgery. The wound contamination can result in an infection depending on the virulence and the number of microbes or viruses, the severity of the tissue damage and the physical health of the patient.

How can we reduce:
- The infection sources introduced by the medical team?
- The contamination of medical instruments?
- The number of door movements?

What are the consequences of possible solutions for the health care profession, in terms of cost, flexibility and other important factors?