Vocational Training students in Jaén have developed prosthetics manufactured with 3D printing and an application for emotional well-being. The project aims to help people with disabilities and mental health problems. However, behind the charitable headline lies a less bright reality: these end-of-course projects, funded with European funds, lack health certification and basic quality controls.
Prosthetics without biocompatibility and an app that already existed 🧐
The printed prosthetics use non-biocompatible materials, which prevents their use in real patients due to the risk of infections or rejection. They have not passed any health certification. In parallel, the emotional well-being application is a rudimentary version of cognitive therapy tools that have been circulating for free on the market for years. Students present these prototypes as innovation to pass the subject, while teachers inflate their importance to justify research hours.
Technological posturing saves the course, but not the patient 😤
The local press publishes these good news stories to fill pages without verifying the real usefulness. Meanwhile, the citizen with a disability still lacks functional prosthetics, and the one with mental health issues already has better apps. Student solidarity is commendable, but it does not solve systemic problems. In the end, the education system rewards posturing: you are left with the smile in the photo, and they get the passing grade. Of course, the European funds, well spent.