That morning she was still teaching vocational students, and that afternoon Anneke Westerlaken was on the main stage at Zorg & ICT. In both settings, she discussed healthcare technology and how technology is transforming work in the healthcare sector.
“Technology will help us ensure that healthcare remains available.” That was the conclusion reached by Anneke Westerlaken, chair of the board of the industry association ActiZ. Prior to that, she had used clear and unambiguous graphs and tables to illustrate the enormous demand for healthcare that lies ahead.
With 485,000 employees in nursing homes and community nursing, the sector Westerlaken represents is larger than ever, she said. And they’re still managing to recruit people. But that alone won’t be enough.
Self-reliance
Technological solutions are therefore essential. These are already being widely used, she explains. Not only has this increased productivity in community care, but it has also boosted residents’ independence. Examples include medication dispensers, compression stocking aids, voice-activated reporting, and video-based care. Thanks to smart sensors and home automation, healthcare providers and informal caregivers can respond more quickly to incidents.
New generation
She also brought that message with her from vocational education. Healthcare students work extensively with AI and ChatGPT, but during their internships, they rarely encounter modern healthcare technology. “So we’re also going to focus primarily on the new generation, which is already much more accustomed to working with technology,” says Westerlaken. “We need to support that new generation of healthcare providers. It’s truly a different generation of healthcare providers entering the workforce. They have different expectations regarding the use of technology.”
Scheduling and Planning
While hospitals are skeptical about whether AI will help solve staffing shortages in healthcare, Westerlaken is more optimistic. “In elder care, we are definitely seeing a number of AI applications that help with the work.”
AI in healthcare can help with rostering, scheduling and a variety of administrative issues, Westerlaken believes. It can also help analyze health patterns and provide support recommendations. Even in the future, she foresees caregivers having a digital assistant or colleague. But when asked by the audience about the use of AI, there is a sobering response, "I've never seen AI wash anyone!
Everyday Matters
Not all technological solutions are complicated and innovative, Westerlaken emphasizes. “Many technological solutions are part of everyday life. We see the photo frames, we’re familiar with FaceTime—all ways in which ordinary, everyday technology is already fully integrated into healthcare. We’ll build on that.”
As an example, she cited the Pre-Care Circles, where a group of local residents support and monitor each other. "Those also work with technology, but that's just with WhatsApp. Therefore my appeal: don't make everything 'healthcare technology.' Focus directly on society, on the consumer. Don't try to specialize technology, but socialize it!"
