In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital health, a pressing question emerges: how can we ensure that the technologies we deploy are not only innovative but also sustainable? This is the challenge that Ernesto Quisbert-Trujillo, a researcher at AGEIS, Université Grenoble Alpes in France, and his team have tackled in their recent study published in the journal ‘Sensors’ (translated to English as ‘Sensors’).
The study, titled “Towards the Operationalization of Health Technology Sustainability Assessment and the Early Eco Design of the Internet of Medical Things,” delves into the complexities of assessing the sustainability of digital health technologies. Quisbert-Trujillo and his colleagues argue that the rapid pace of technological evolution and the tradeoffs between effectiveness and efficiency make this task particularly daunting.
“Distinguishing the benefits of digital health from its drawbacks is extremely complex,” Quisbert-Trujillo explains. “This complexity is further compounded when we consider the ecological design of these technologies.”
The researchers propose a framework for Health Technology Sustainability Assessment (HTSA) that is grounded in a structural and conceptual dissection of the fundamental purpose of smart technologies and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). This framework aims to guide informed decision-making regarding the integration of sustainable IoMT systems into healthcare.
One of the key contributions of the study is a rapid back-of-the-envelope assessment of the economic and ecological balance when introducing IoMT prototypes for treating a specific condition. This assessment is based on a preliminary simulation of a defined clinical outcome.
The study challenges two primary hypotheses and encourages reflection on the central role of information and its interpretation when addressing key barriers in the HTSA of digital health. It also advances cost–benefit and cost-effectiveness evaluation tools that support eco design strategies.
The implications of this research are significant for the energy sector, particularly in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT). As IoT devices become more prevalent in healthcare, their energy consumption and environmental impact will become increasingly important considerations. The framework proposed by Quisbert-Trujillo and his team could help guide the development of more sustainable IoT devices, ultimately reducing their environmental footprint.
Moreover, the study’s emphasis on the role of information and its interpretation could have broader implications for the energy sector. As the sector increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making, understanding how to interpret and act on this information will be crucial.
In the words of Quisbert-Trujillo, “This study is a call to action for the industry to adopt a more pragmatic approach to the sustainability of digital health technologies. It’s not just about developing new technologies; it’s about ensuring that these technologies are sustainable and beneficial for both patients and the environment.”
As the digital health landscape continues to evolve, the insights provided by this study will be invaluable in shaping the future of the industry. By prioritizing sustainability and informed decision-making, we can ensure that the technologies we deploy are not only innovative but also beneficial for all.