60 second interview: Jean Roberts

Jean Roberts

Dr Jean Roberts has more than 35 years’ experience in health informatics, having worked at all levels of the health service and with solution providers. She is currently working in the School of Public Health and Clinical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire.

Her professional interests include developing the brand image, quality standards and domain recognition of Health Informatics through the UK Council for Health Informatics Professions and the British Computer Society’s Health Informatics Forum.

What is the first thing you do when you get into the office?

I work from home some days, but process is the same for both; I am an “email junkie” so I boot up my system then put the kettle on!

Your favourite gadget at the moment?

A Sony Ericsson picture phone, for taking pictures of my grandchildren and sending them to relatives. I consciously leave emails for reading on the computer, as I like to have quality time to think about my responses.

What’s the best thing about your job?

It allows me to have a hand in “succession planning” – both helping UCLAN’s health informatics students to get on and helping the profession to mature through the BCS HI Forum and UKCHIP.

Favourite book or song (or both!)?

Nelson de Mille’s Charm School – a book about a secret location that the Russians are using to turn their soldiers into Americans. It makes me think that maybe no one is what they seem to be!

Also, Rocking all over the World by Status Quo – as it brings back happy memories of before my back went.

Pet hate?

People who only criticise, without wading in and sharing experiences to help to solve problems.

Favourite website?

www.vigilanceofbrixham.co.uk – a marvellous way of de-stressing from work – and www.firebox.com – interesting ideas for whacky presents.

In a perfect world, what would you be doing?

Heading towards retirement gracefully, having seen health informatics achieve its rightful recognition.

What’s caught your eye recently?

Much more pragmatism in all the home countries’ health informatics plans – brought about by “openness” created by better (if as yet informal) communication.

The stuff coming out of from the Department of Health now pays much more attention to what is going to work and focuses on sharing experiences and benefits. This lets me provide my students with “real” case studies to work with.

e-Health innovation that interests you at the moment?

The assistive and ambient technologies – particularly smart clothing and patient alerts.

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