Digital health and data science research theme
Gathering new data insights to advance diagnostics, treatment and care.
The challenge
Digital technology is changing the way that illnesses in animals and humans are diagnosed, monitored, prevented, treated and experienced. New artificial intelligence (AI) tools are continually being developed and fresh insights are needed to apply these efficiently and effectively to an array of datasets and to use the outputs ethically to hone algorithm design. The ultimate challenge is to move from systems that react to changes in health to those that predict potentially deleterious changes and support early intervention to prevent diseases taking hold.
Our response
Within our Digital Health and Data Science Research Theme, work to probe datasets of symptoms acquired from internet of things-enabled sensors installed in the homes of patients living with, or at risk of conditions such as dementia, diabetes and cancers, helps prevent both the human and economic cost of hospitalisation. Sensor data from biomechanical analysis of companion animals reveal the impacts of skeletal abnormalities, enabling swifter diagnosis and improved animal welfare. Probing complex datasets - of pathogens, animal hosts and environmental conditions - enables real time detection and diagnosis of zoonotic disease and enhances global surveillance efforts. Exploring how technology can best be used to support clinician patient interactions and monitor and improve sleep reduces demands on health systems.
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
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Timing, quality, and physiology of sleep in a deprived community cohort in South Africa, and their relationship with chronic disease
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Start date: January 2018
End date: May 2021
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Start date: March 2017
End date: April 2017
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Start date: October 2014
End date: April 2016
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Researchers
Research theme lead
Professor Jo Armes
Professor of Cancer Care and Lead for Digital Health
Biography
Jo is a Registered Nurse and worked clinically in haematology and medical/clinical oncology before moving to St Bartholomew's & Homerton Hospitals to undertake psycho-oncology research. On completion of a BSc in Nursing Studies at The University of Hull she took up a research post at St Christopher's Hospice, London. In 2000 she was awarded a CRUK Nursing Fellowship to undertake a PhD at King's College London, during which she developed and tested a behavioural intervention for cancer-related fatigue. Subsequently she held a number of academic posts and led the Supportive Cancer Care Research Group in the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at King's College London. Jo joined the School of Health Sciences at the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ in 2017 as Reader and Lead for Digital Health. She also leads Digital Innovation theme for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration for Kent ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ & Sussex (ARC KSS). Jo has considerable expertise in clinical trials of complex interventions, including digital health interventions, mixed methods and experience based co-design methods.
