The relationship between science, technology and society during the Covid-19 pandemic
The case of Remote Medical Monitoring in Canada
Student names (alphabetical order): Christopher Demian, Mehdi Metri, Yacine Oudaoud, Siavash Shahkar, Sidi Mohamed Zemmour
Supervisor: Gita Ghiasi
Course: ENGR-392-2202-EE
Abstract
The physical limitations induced by the Covid-19 pandemic forced the adaptation of many industries and behaviors among the worldwide population. A transition from physical services to remotely delivered services can be observed in many sectors including the medical sector. This study focuses on the research and development of remote medical monitoring in Canada between 2013 and 2020 through the identification of the main contributors of this technology and the analysis of its funding, patents, industrial and socio-economical components. Using mainly the Inspec and Compendex databases, the Patentscope tool and Statistics Canada, this study reveals several key informations. Universities dominate the list for the most publications about remote medical monitoring, namely the University of Toronto with 91 publications within our time period, only a few publications behind the world`s most active company, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV. Canada is the 5th biggest actor in terms of patent registries with 1539 registries within our period. The research and development sector, along with the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors represent the most active industries in our subject, indicating recent efforts in innovation, prototyping, testing and production related to remote medical monitoring. Unfortunately the study also reveals that the gender gap in wages is higher within the studied industries when compared to all industries. These findings can be used as a baseline to improve gender equality in the future research, development and manufacturing projects of remote medical monitoring.