User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare
With consideration of the progressing aging of our societies, the introduction of smart sensor technology can contribute to the improvement of healthcare for older patients and to reductions of the costs of care. From the clinical and medico-ethical points of view, the advantages of smart sensor tec...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/22/9124 |
| _version_ | 1797457737414606848 |
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| author | Marcin Orzechowski Tobias Skuban-Eiseler Anna Ajlani Ulrich Lindemann Jochen Klenk Florian Steger |
| author_facet | Marcin Orzechowski Tobias Skuban-Eiseler Anna Ajlani Ulrich Lindemann Jochen Klenk Florian Steger |
| author_sort | Marcin Orzechowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | With consideration of the progressing aging of our societies, the introduction of smart sensor technology can contribute to the improvement of healthcare for older patients and to reductions of the costs of care. From the clinical and medico-ethical points of view, the advantages of smart sensor technology are copious. However, any ethical evaluation of an introduction of a new technology in medical practice requires an inclusion of patients’ perspectives and their assessments. We have conducted qualitative, semi-structured, exploratory interviews with 11 older patients in order to gain their subjective opinions on the use of smart sensor devices for rehabilitation purposes. The interviews were analyzed using methods of qualitative content and thematic analyses. In our analysis, we have focused on ethical aspects of adoption of this technology in clinical practice. Most of the interviewees expressed their trust in this technology, foremost because of its accuracy. Several respondents stated apprehension that the use of smart sensors will lead to a change in the patient–healthcare professional relationship. Regarding costs of introduction of smart sensors into healthcare, interviewees were divided between health insurance bearing the costs and individual participation in corresponding costs. Most interviewees had no concerns about the protection of their privacy or personal information. Considering these results, improvement of users’ technology literacy regarding possible threats connected with putting smart sensors into clinical practice is a precondition to any individual application of smart sensors. This should occur in the form of extended and well-designed patient information adapted to individual levels of understanding. Moreover, application of smart sensors needs to be accompanied with careful anamnesis of patient’s needs, life goals, capabilities, and concerns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:28:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-32a80d6d7a3f4c54a07fd9d737d4d190 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:28:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-32a80d6d7a3f4c54a07fd9d737d4d1902023-11-24T15:05:25ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-11-012322912410.3390/s23229124User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in HealthcareMarcin Orzechowski0Tobias Skuban-Eiseler1Anna Ajlani2Ulrich Lindemann3Jochen Klenk4Florian Steger5Institute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, GermanyInstitute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, GermanyInstitute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, GermanyDepartment of Geriatrics, Robert Bosch Hospital, 70376 Stuttgart, GermanyDepartment of Geriatrics, Robert Bosch Hospital, 70376 Stuttgart, GermanyInstitute of the History, Philosophy and Ethics of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, GermanyWith consideration of the progressing aging of our societies, the introduction of smart sensor technology can contribute to the improvement of healthcare for older patients and to reductions of the costs of care. From the clinical and medico-ethical points of view, the advantages of smart sensor technology are copious. However, any ethical evaluation of an introduction of a new technology in medical practice requires an inclusion of patients’ perspectives and their assessments. We have conducted qualitative, semi-structured, exploratory interviews with 11 older patients in order to gain their subjective opinions on the use of smart sensor devices for rehabilitation purposes. The interviews were analyzed using methods of qualitative content and thematic analyses. In our analysis, we have focused on ethical aspects of adoption of this technology in clinical practice. Most of the interviewees expressed their trust in this technology, foremost because of its accuracy. Several respondents stated apprehension that the use of smart sensors will lead to a change in the patient–healthcare professional relationship. Regarding costs of introduction of smart sensors into healthcare, interviewees were divided between health insurance bearing the costs and individual participation in corresponding costs. Most interviewees had no concerns about the protection of their privacy or personal information. Considering these results, improvement of users’ technology literacy regarding possible threats connected with putting smart sensors into clinical practice is a precondition to any individual application of smart sensors. This should occur in the form of extended and well-designed patient information adapted to individual levels of understanding. Moreover, application of smart sensors needs to be accompanied with careful anamnesis of patient’s needs, life goals, capabilities, and concerns.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/22/9124wearable sensorssmart sensorsolder adultsrehabilitationhealthcareethics |
| spellingShingle | Marcin Orzechowski Tobias Skuban-Eiseler Anna Ajlani Ulrich Lindemann Jochen Klenk Florian Steger User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare Sensors wearable sensors smart sensors older adults rehabilitation healthcare ethics |
| title | User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare |
| title_full | User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare |
| title_fullStr | User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare |
| title_full_unstemmed | User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare |
| title_short | User Perspectives of Geriatric German Patients on Smart Sensor Technology in Healthcare |
| title_sort | user perspectives of geriatric german patients on smart sensor technology in healthcare |
| topic | wearable sensors smart sensors older adults rehabilitation healthcare ethics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/22/9124 |
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