ESR17 - Kentaro Tanaka

ESR photo
Kentaro Tanaka
Research project
Healthcare providers’ perspective on the use of visual technologies in telemedicine
About the project

ESR17 joined TCD after the exit of ESR7. The aim of their research was to focus on the same field as ESR above and the use of camera systems to support home-based multiple chronic disease (multimorbidity) self-management. Focus for this research was to examine the perspectives of healthcare providers to the use of camera systems to support multimorbidity self-management. 


As described in the objectives of ESR7 above - Self-management is a critical component of chronic disease management and can include activities, such as undertaking daily care activities, managing medication, and proactively linking in with one’s care network (informal carers, formal carers, and healthcare professionals). The rise of digital health technologies (mobile applications/phones, sensor-based devices, cameras) to assist health and well-being management of chronic diseases offers potential support for people to better manage their diseases in collaboration with their care network. Camera systems (both home-based and wearable) may be used to provide rich contextual data and insight into everyday activities to better understand the complexity of multiple disease (multimorbidity) management. This information can then be a) used to better guide self-management activities and b) shared with an individual’s care network to help develop truly collaborative goal-based interventions to support self-management. Use of cameras to better understand and augment self-management by healthcare professional to support individuals with multimorbidity has yet to be fully explored. 


This research aims to understand and define the use of camera-based technologies by healthcare professionals to support older adults living at home with multiple chronic health conditions (e.g., multimorbidity). Emphasis is placed on understanding the factors that impact the relationship between individuals with multimorbidity and their care network.

Start date: May 2024

End date: January 2025

Progress of the project

ESR17 has conducted a scoping review to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) perceptions of camera-based telehealth technologies in the context of managing older adults with chronic conditions or multimorbidity. The study was driven by a notable gap in AAL research, which has largely overlooked HCPs’ insights despite their critical role as both key stakeholders and end-users of telehealth technologies. As end-users, HCPs directly interact with these systems in their clinical practice, and their acceptance, experiences, and feedback are pivotal to the successful implementation and integration of telehealth solutions. Understanding HCPs’ perspectives is essential for developing tailored telehealth solutions that align with the needs of both patients and providers. By addressing this gap, the research provides valuable insights into the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations surrounding camera-based telehealth technologies. These findings aim to inform future research and innovation in this field, ultimately supporting the broader adoption of such technologies in healthcare systems to better support individuals, namely older adults, self-managing their health (including chronic disease and multimorbidity) and wellbeing at home.

Scientific publications
About the ESR

Ken holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation from UCLouvain (Belgium). He pursued his training with a Master’s in Motor Skills Science with a specialization in Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy, followed by a PGCert and continuous education to meet IFOMPT standards. Before joining visuAAL, he worked as a clinician in an international setting, while actively contributing to academic teaching and CPD courses.

Contact information

Kentaro TANAKA

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity Centre for Practice & Healthcare Innovation (TCPHI)
School of Nursing and Midwifery
24 D’Olier Street
Dublin, Ireland

Email address: ktanaka@tcd.ie

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kentaro-tanaka-822715146