By Peter Witten, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

The technological development in healthcare is happening at rocket speed, and in hospitals and medical clinics, high-tech equipment, digital analysis and AI have long been implemented.

But while these enormous digital advancements are significant, equally important are usability and understandability for both patients and healthcare professionals. This is where Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) comes into play.

Professor Ann Blandford from UCL (University College London) is an expert in this field - she is a frontrunner in HCI. On Friday, April 4th, she provided insights into the progress and challenges in digital health during a guest lecture at the auditorium of the Department of Computer Science at AAU.

"If the user can't use it, it doesn't work." A statement that also applies greatly to digital health, pointed out Ann Blandford.

Professor Niels Van Berkel from the Department of Computer Science at AAU emphasizes her expertise:

"Professor Ann Blandford's academic leadership and groundbreaking vision in Human-Computer Interaction have positively influenced technology development and led to several impressive contributions to digital health."

He added: "Our collaboration with Blandford started more than 15 years ago and has been significant for the development and professionalization of our efforts at the Department of Computer Science."

On Friday, Ann Blandford was appointed honorary doctor at AAU.