As part of the SAHSU Environment and Health Coffee Morning held on 4th April, Dr Brandon Parkes hosted 3 discussion groups concerning possible funding application to develop a smartphone app to assist medical research by automating the collection of health data, symptoms and co-morbidities. Brandon was interested to hear from people of varying ages (and technical abilities) how open they would be to using the proposed app and taking ownership of their health records.
The feedback was informative and mixed as would be expected from a diverse set of attendees ranging in age from mid-twenties to eighties. A lot of those present were using or had used devices that collected biometric data (step counts, sleep data etc). There was some cynicism as to the accuracy and reliability of the devices. It was also paramount that the devices were designed to be sleek and unobtrusive. Younger members in particular were open to the idea of sharing their data if it meant they were given a new piece of technology such as a smart watch.
Brandon had introduced the concept of individuals storing their medical data in the form of electronic health records on their devices but found little enthusiasm for this; it was often felt that doctors should take responsibility for their patients’ records, and that the individual wouldn’t necessarily understand the contents of the medical records.
Both attendees and hosts appeared to enjoy the event, and the time seemed to pass quickly. For a research project like the one proposed here, that is aimed at the general public, it is beneficial to involve as diverse a section of the community as possible; I believe the format of this event delivered on that.
