Implications of new technologies in healthcare

New healthcare technologies, in our case sexually transmitted infections diagnostics, need to be integrated with all stakeholders, including the WHO. In countries like Malta and Zambia, we explore scalable implementation and antimicrobial resistance issues. Expanding diagnostics enhances treatment accuracy by reducing reliance on syndromic approaches. Reducing antibiotic resistance is a crucial element in evolving global health systems.

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Sebastian Suarez Fuller, MA, PhD, FHEA, is the Course Director of the Health Service Improvement and Evaluation MSc and is a Senior Social Scientist.   

Sebastian’s research is focused on investigating methods for translating novel technologies into practice and the implications of this on health systems and populations. His research has ranged from investigation of adoption of new point-of-care tests for STIs in NHS England, investigating social and structural barriers and facilitators to implementing diagnostic tests in low- and middle-income countries and understanding the factors influencing social acceptability of genetically modifying plants to develop novel healthcare and food products in Europe. He has received funding for his work from the European Commission Horizon 2020 programme, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR), Innovate UK, and the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). He is also an invited consultant for the World Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research, and leads social science and public communications for the European Commission H2020-funded Photoboost project.