Developing technological solutions to issues encountered by patients in pediatric hospitals is challenging. Solving real problems, addressing social issues, and improving quality of life was the purpose of the recent “Doing Good” CS Hackathon, held at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in close cooperation with Rambam Health Care Campus (Rambam) in Haifa, Israel.
Professor Daniella Magen speaking at the Hackathon.
Photography: Rambam HCC.
The Doing Good Hackathon saw 50 mentors working with 130 students to brainstorm and discuss current challenges in pediatric hospitals. Held in the Technion’s Henry & Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science, Professor Daniella Magen director of the Division of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Nephrology Institute in the Ruth Rappaport Children’s Hospital at Rambam worked closely with the organizers on the medical aspects of the Hackathon. Professor Magen was a perfect choice for this collaboration since, in addition to being a highly recognized physician in pediatric medicine, she is a graduate of the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine of the Technion and a faculty member there.
Rambam staff presented several pediatric issues and predicaments for consideration, including waiting times, post-trauma pain management, sharing of patient identities on social media, HMO-related matters, and transitioning from hospital to home. The Hackathon also devoted time to social responsibility. Within that framework, violence against medical personnel was also discussed.
A riveting opening lecture entitled “Life in the Hospital – Challenges and Opportunities” was presented by Professor Magen. During the 24-hour Hackathon, students from all faculty tracks immersed themselves in meaningful dialogue. After intense and inspirational discussions, several innovative ideas emerged. It will be exciting to see how these young people and their ideas will develop and impact pediatrics in the future.