The keynote speaker this year was Aaron Major from Samsung who gave a thought-provoking narrative about how Samsung drive meaningful innovation in healthcare and how they embrace VR technology to reduce patient’s anxiety and pain as well as improve staff training in healthcare. Aaron joined Samsung two years ago and is currently Trust Product Manager at Samsung Electronics UK, he has more than ten years of experience helping businesses develop their mobile strategy.
Keynote speaker: Aaron Major from Samsung
The theme this year was ‘Innovating for a Healthier Future’, highlighting existing collaborative research and potential future opportunities for developing new multi-disciplinary research and innovation projects. A wide range of talks were presented by clinical and academic experts from PHT and UoP, inspiring the audience with their research projects in various areas from musculoskeletal, cardiology and physiology to innovative use of digital technologies for better healthcare.
Speakers at the conference
The Portsmouth Technologies Trials Unit (PTTU) was launched at last year’s conference. It was good to see them back this year and hear about their success stories and some collaborative research projects that they have been working on.
Various topics were available at the parallel sessions which were designed to stimulate discussions and highlight collaborative research opportunities. In addition, delegates were able to explore the world class facilities at the University’s Centre for Simulation in Health and Care and see how the next generation of healthcare professionals are taught using virtual reality, haptic equipment and 3D innovations in a state of the art simulation environment first hand.
Tour of the University’s Centre for Simulation in Health and Care
The University’s simulation vehicle was also on site with two dummies on the vehicle. Delegates were able to see how the facilities on the vehicle can be used to promote public engagement and enhance the learning experience.
Demonstration on the University’s simulation vehicle
It was also interesting to hear patients’ heartfelt stories which were captured on film and shown at the conference to give the delegates a better understanding on what it was like for the patients to take part in clinical trials and the impact they had on them.
Last but not least, counting the voting tokens has to be one of the most exciting behind the scene moments! It was such a close call as the winner and runner up in the Best PHT Poster category were just one token apart. At the end the Best PHT Poster went to Zoe Garner and Dee Rodgers and the Best UoP Poster went to Elisavet Andrikopoulou.
It was simply wonderful to see so many delegates from PHT, UoP and industries participate and engage in every session throughout the conference. We look forward to another exciting event next year and hope to see many new faces as the partnership between the University and Portsmouth Hospitals Trust continues to grow.
Research and Innovation Services 