Picture

Northwestern Medicine
​Breakthroughs for Physicians

​​
  • Home
  • Specialties
    • Cardiovascular >
      • Research
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • News
    • Endocrinology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs In Endocrinology
      • Research In Endocrinology
      • News
    • ENT (Otolaryngology) >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Gastroenterology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Geriatrics >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Neurosciences >
      • Rare and Complex Brain Tumors
      • Research
      • COVID-19 and Neurosciences
      • News
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • OB-GYN >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Oncology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Ophthalmology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Organ Transplant >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Orthopaedics >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Psychiatry >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Pulmonary >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Rehabilitation >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • News
    • Rheumatology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Urology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
  • CME
  • REFERRALS
    • Refer to NM Cardiovascular
    • Refer to NM Neurosciences
    • Refer to Other Specialties

< BACK TO CLINICAL BREAKTHROUGHS IN GERIATRICS

June 2021

GERIATRICS

USING VOICE-CONTROLLED PERSONAL ASSISTANTS TO REDUCE SOCIAL ISOLATION

Featuring: Katherine T. O’Brien, MD

Episode Summary

In this Better Edge podcast, Katherine T. O’Brien, MD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Northwestern Medicine, discusses research she recently presented at the 2021 American Geriatric Society Annual Scientific Meeting regarding the use of voice-controlled intelligent personal assistants by homebound older adults. Dr. O’Brien shares her findings on how technology can play a role in reducing social isolation, as well as the benefits and challenges of using these types of devices.
​
“We have found many different themes regarding how people are using these devices and how we as healthcare workers think they might use these devices,” says Dr. O’Brien. “They are used for entertainment such as music, audio books and brain games; to companionship by interacting back and forth with the device; to administrative functions like creating shopping lists and reminders of their medications; to controlling the home, lights and temperature; to emergency communication — some of the devices can actually call 911 or family members.”
Dr. Katherine O'Brien headshot
Katherine T. O’Brien, MD,, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics)

Refer a Patient

Northwestern Medicine welcomes the opportunity to partner with you in caring for your patients. ​
Call 844.344.6663
Find an NM GERIATRICIAN

You May Also Like

Video still of Lee Lindquist, MD, MBA, MPH

December 2019

GERIATRICS
Using Artificial Intelligence to Support Seniors Aging in Place
Dwayne Dobschuetz, APRN headhsot

November 2019

GERIATRICS
Improving Geriatric Patient Outcomes with Home Care Programs
Sara M Bradley, MD headshot

June 2021

GERIATRICS
2021 American Geriatric Society Annual Scientific Meeting Highlights

Northwestern Medicine Breakthroughs for Physicians

About Us     Terms of Use     Privacy Policy     How to Vote for U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals
© 2025 Northwestern Medicine® and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. 
Northwestern Medicine® is a trademark of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, used by Northwestern University
Connect with us
[email protected]
International physicians, contact [email protected]
  • Home
  • Specialties
    • Cardiovascular >
      • Research
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • News
    • Endocrinology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs In Endocrinology
      • Research In Endocrinology
      • News
    • ENT (Otolaryngology) >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Gastroenterology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Geriatrics >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Neurosciences >
      • Rare and Complex Brain Tumors
      • Research
      • COVID-19 and Neurosciences
      • News
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • OB-GYN >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Oncology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Ophthalmology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Organ Transplant >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Orthopaedics >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Psychiatry >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Pulmonary >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Rehabilitation >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • News
    • Rheumatology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
    • Urology >
      • Clinical Breakthroughs
      • Research
      • News
  • CME
  • REFERRALS
    • Refer to NM Cardiovascular
    • Refer to NM Neurosciences
    • Refer to Other Specialties