Wearables and legislation

Wouter Seinen of Samsung kicked off the session with a presentation on the role of wearables in the healthcare sector, covering CE laws and regulations, among other things. For some healthcare facilities, wearables can be a godsend, provided they meet the right certifications. However, this also involves higher costs, as a certified device can be significantly more expensive than a consumer device. Nevertheless, data security is an important aspect for Samsung.


Security for smart devices

A key focus during this discussion was the security of smart devices. Critical questions were raised about the security and risk of theft of these devices, which could also lead to data breaches. The potential use of Samsung Knox for data security was discussed as well as the need to consider open-source solutions for wider implementation.


Technology in elderly care

A participating care organisation brought up the challenges of applying new technologies in elderly care. There is a lot of potential for the use of mobile solutions such as Samsung DeX, however, there are also concerns about privacy and the feeling of being ‘monitored’ among older people living at home for longer. The adoption of technology in this sector is sometimes quite tricky.

Mobile First and Mobile Only strategies

The round table continued with a discussion on ‘Mobile First’ and ‘Mobile Only’ strategies. Samsung’s Xcover 6 Pro, which is DeX-compatible and HIX-certified, was cited as an example. The future availability of AI applications in the Dutch language from Q4 2024, which could have a significant impact on communication with, for example, elderly people with dementia whose native language is not Dutch was discussed.

 

Use case – Archipel and Samsung DeX

An interesting use case was presented by Peter and Mirna from Archipel, in which they discussed their experiences with the proof of concept (POC) of Samsung DeX within their organisation. This revealed some key insights and challenges they experienced during their digitalisation journey.

 

The challenges of many devices

Peter and Mirna described how care workers often carry multiple devices with them—which is an outdated approach. With healthcare becoming increasingly mobile, it is necessary to find more efficient solutions. In 2023, Archipel underwent major digitalisation, switching from Citrix to a fully cloud-based environment. This meant that all employees, both at a personal and shared level, started using laptops or Surface devices.

 

Adoption of new technologies

A key challenge in digitalisation has been the adoption of new technologies and has been fraught with controversy. Too little emphasis was placed on adoption, which means there is now some catching up to do. The speed at which the technology was implemented led to problems, mainly because adoption was based on technology and not on usability for employees.

 

The importance of good support and training was stressed. Several digital coaches are now active at Archipel to support employees.
 

Manageability and mobile working environment

The use of shared devices led to login problems. To address this, Archipel deployed the Knox Authentication Manager for easy log-in and log-out. Although this solution is validated and available, another participating organisation indicates that further development is needed in conjunction with Intune.

In addition, the use of Surface devices for certain applications, such as taking pictures for wound care or obesity, proved impractical. Employees therefore switched to using personal devices such as mobile phones.


Samsung DeX: benefits and discussions

People see DeX as a big advantage. However, there is an ongoing debate about using shared devices versus giving each employee their own. The question remains where to draw the line—who gets their own device and who does not?

The session also discussed how the devices can be used at home, with provisions already in place. It was asked how DeX compares to Surface, particularly because of the use of two operating systems. This concern was downplayed by stating that 90% of users do not even notice the difference. The implementation of DeX at Archipel went very well and there were hardly any questions about the operating system.


Shared devices and self-employed workers

For self-employed workers covering only two shifts, using shared devices presents specific challenges. Currently, no ECD (Electronic Client Record) is set up on shared devices because of the risks risks if people do not log out. A proof of concept (PoC) with Samsung Xcover6 Pro combined with Samsung DeX, has now been deployed for bedside staff working 40-hour shifts.

Archipel’s experience with Samsung DeX shows that although challenges remain, the benefits of a more mobile and manageable system are clearly visible. Ongoing focus on adoption, support and further development will be crucial for the success of this technology in healthcare.

Round table discussion

A key discussion point was whether working with one device would lead to more time for giving care. One participant was sceptical, thinking that this was more likely to lead to more administration. Other participants were more positive, provided the set-up of the systems is well organised.

The round table’s conclusion was clear—moving to fewer devices per care worker can save time and costs, both for caregivers and the IT department. However, its successful implementation requires careful planning, training, and the right support tools.

 

Future vision

We are on the eve of major changes in the healthcare sector, driven by technological innovations. Our round table showed that there is a lot of potential, but also that there are still many questions to be answered. Device management and adoption of new technologies remain areas of concern.

We look forward to the further development of these solutions and continue to engage with healthcare professionals to ensure that our IT solutions best meet their needs and improve the quality of care.

 

Have questions or want more information on the topics discussed? Get in touch with us. We’re happy to help!

Dees van der Linden

Dees van der Linden

Account Manager, Health

dees.vanderlinden@bechtle.com