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About the solution
Sara Riggare's life changed when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 32, after nearly two decades of unexplained symptoms. Her journey began much earlier—at age 13—when she noticed her inability to move her feet while others clapped and stomped at a folk music concert. Initially misdiagnosed with dystonia, it wasn’t until years later that a neurologist gave her the correct diagnosis.
Driven by the belief that patients should play a central role in their own healthcare, Sara, an engineer by training, embarked on a mission to empower not only herself but also others in the Parkinson's community. She enrolled in a Master's program in Health Informatics at the Karolinska Institute, where she focused on using technology to improve patient care and self-management for those living with chronic conditions. Sara developed smartphone applications that allow patients to monitor their symptoms and medication schedules. Her innovations, born from her own need to manage her condition, provide valuable tools for self-tracking and data collection. “My mission is to give individual patients the tools to improve their own healthcare experience… I need to show that my research can change things for me and for the world, and that it can make an immediate benefit, not in 10 or 20 years.”
Such ideas of a more personalized, patient-driven healthcare system find support outside of mainstream medicine. A number of powerful organizations get very excited by the concept of wearable sensors: from Silicon Valley entrepreneurs making smart devices for the health and fitness market to people who support the “quantified self” movement (where individuals track their own data to learn more about themselves), to scientists interested in colleting and analyzing “big data.” In Sara’s own words, “Self-tracking is, in my opinion, the most powerful weapon I can wish for in my battle against Parkinson’s and I will explain why.”
In 2018, her work was recognized when Fokus Magazine named her "Swede of the Year in Medicine," celebrating her contributions to reshaping the patient experience. The jury highlighted her ability to inspire others and her determination to change the narrative around living with a chronic illness.
Sara's research at Radboud University Medical Center under the guidance of Professor Bas Bloem focuses on personal observations as tools for improving chronic disease management. She advocates for patient rights to access their medical data, believing that knowledge is essential for individuals to take ownership of their health. Beyond her technological contributions, Sara actively engages with the global Parkinson's community, serving on the Patient Panel of the British Medical Journal and participating as an ambassador for the World Parkinson Congress. Through her blog, Not patient but im-patient, she shares insights, fostering a sense of community among PD patients.
For more information:
https://www.riggare.se/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNnh1n4Yu9c
This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.
DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com
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