Taiwanese Delegation Visits Vilans: Focus on Digital Transformation in Long-Term Care
Published on: 18-10-2024
A Taiwanese delegation led by Chun-Jung Su, Minister of the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration, visited Vilans in September as part of the 2024 Study Group on Digital Transformation. The delegation included Director-Generals, Division Directors, Section Chiefs, and mid-to-higher level management. The visit was part of a broader study tour to Belgium and the Netherlands, focusing on digital transformation initiatives.
Vilans team represented by Prof. Henk Herman Nap, full professor at Eindhoven University of Technology and expert and theme coordinator of digital care at Vilans, Brent Opmeer, a senior researcher in monitoring and impact, Sima Askari Ipakchian, a senior digital care researcher and Bob Hofstede, a PhD candidate and a digital care researcher welcomed and hosted the delegates. The discussions centered around the Dutch experience with digital transformation in long-term care, including Vilans' role in supporting the implementation, evaluation, and value determination of care technologies and highlighted opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning between the Netherlands and Taiwan.
The delegation's presentations on long-term care in Taiwan provided us with valuable insights into their approach to implementing and funding care technologies. This exchange was mutually enriching, allowing both sides to share experiences, which is a significant opportunity for us to broaden our perspective and promote an ongoing exchange of expertise. Our demonstration of examples of care technologies we are working on was also engaging, allowing the delegates getting hands-on experience with innovations like the Hug and Hyodol.
This visit underscored the importance of international collaboration in advancing digital transformation in long-term care. By sharing our experiences in implementing digital solutions and integrating them into care systems, we hope to inspire innovative approaches that can enhance the quality of care across borders.
It was inspiring to see how warmly these socially interactive technologies were received, with many delegates engaging directly with the social robots. This response showed the accessibility, acceptance, and potential impact of these innovative solutions.
The enthusiasm from the Taiwanese delegation and their willingness to exchange ideas speaks to the shared commitment of both nations to leverage technology for better and more sustainable care.
The visit provided an opportunity for both the Taiwanese delegation and Vilans to exchange knowledge and witness firsthand the strides each country has made in using digital solutions to address long-term care challenges. The exchange reinforced the shared insights into each country's approaches to digital care innovation, further strengthening the ongoing collaboration and paving the way for future initiatives between Taiwan and the Netherlands in the field of digital care.
