Translational research and context in health monitoring systems

Context has been applied to a broad range of domains and systems ranging from location-based tourist applications to motion capture. An area relatively under-represented in the literature is health-monitoring systems. This paper considers the application of context in health monitoring and the role of translational research, a concept that relates to the translation of basic research into clinical practice. This paper posits that intelligent Context-aware systems provide an effective basis for translational research with benefits reflected in improved quality of life for patients, reduced load on clinicians, and efficiency improvements. Case studies are presented to illustrate a number of health monitoring issues and how context can be effectively applied. The paper concludes with a discussion, consideration of practical applications, challenges, and open research questions.