Technological innovation and management in rehabilitation nursing: Challenges and solutions in the Portuguese context
Keywords:
Health Entrepreneurship, Healthcare Management, Personalised Care, Rehabilitation Nursing, Technological InnovationAbstract
This article investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of technological innovations in rehabilitation nursing, with a particular focus on the Portuguese context and its international connections. Drawing on a narrative literature review, complemented by the analysis of two practical case studies, it identifies cultural, financial, and organisational barriers, as well as the transformative potential of solutions such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and assistive devices. Despite the clear benefits of these technologies in personalising care and optimising resources, their implementation remains constrained by infrastructural limitations, institutional resistance, and gaps in professional training. International reference experiences—such as those of the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, and the Spanish KiReS system—is compared with national initiatives coordinated by the Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra (ESEnfC), through TecCare, the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), and with the support of the Agência Nacional de Inovação (ANI). Projects such as the Subcutaneous Hydration Device (DHS), DigiNurse, and smart clothing for the prevention of pressure ulcers demonstrate how academic entrepreneurship can drive innovative clinical solutions that are scientifically validated and tailored to the real needs of the healthcare system. The original contribution of this study lies in the critical articulation between international and national experiences and in the interface between strategic management, technological innovation, and the humanisation of care. It concludes that this integrated model represents a promising pathway to generate measurable improvements in clinical outcomes and to support sustainable advances in the healthcare sector.
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