Mapping Social Implications of Wearables to Monitor Activity in Palliative Care

Öhl N, Curry J, Steigleder T, Ostgathe C, Heckel M, Forbes C (2024)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2024

Publisher: Sage Journals

Series: The 13th World Research Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care

Book Volume: Vol 38, Issue 1 suppl.

Conference Proceedings Title: Palliative Medicine

Event location: Barcelona ES

URI: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02692163241242338

DOI: 10.1177/02692163241242338

Abstract

Background/aims: Reduced physical activity is a common phenomenon among patients in palliative care, suggesting their condition is changing. Here, modern wearables and measurement devices might be used to track, classify and quantify physical activity. However, as technical devices may impact the care situation, possible effects from a social perspective have to be analyzed. The aim is to prospectively map social implications of wearable activity monitors in palliative care clinical practice.
Methods: Based on the CARE-HOUSE Framework, developed to conceptualize social implications of digital health technologies, we investigated social implications of wearable activity monitors within two focus groups with experts (n = 4 per group) from palliative and advanced cancer care. After presenting background information on wearable activity monitors, participants were stimulated to discuss prospective benefits, risks and unknown effects on stakeholders, interactions, social roles, and tasks in healthcare practice. Data was evaluated using content structuring analysis.
Results: Objectifying daily activity can help identify deconditioning earlier and can promote personalized and holistic support. Patients can benefit from experiencing self-efficacy and being motivated to be active; at the same time, they may feel stressed if they are unable to do so. Different forms of wearable devices are appropriate depending on the intended use. Non-visible devices can be beneficial to avoid stress due to information overload. Integrating wearable activity monitors into clinical routines involves additional application and data interpretation efforts.
Conclusions: Prospectively mapping social implications is relevant for informed decision-making on using wearable activity monitors in clinical practice in palliative care. To adequately address the identified social implications, further research is required to derive technical, organizational, and societal requirements. Also taking the patients perspective into account is needed.


Authors with CRIS profile

Natalie Öhl Department of Palliative Medicine Tobias Steigleder Department of Palliative Medicine Christoph Ostgathe Professur für Palliativmedizin Maria Heckel Department of Palliative Medicine

Involved external institutions

Hull York Medical School (HYMS) GB United Kingdom (GB) Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Öhl, N., Curry, J., Steigleder, T., Ostgathe, C., Heckel, M., & Forbes, C. (2024). Mapping Social Implications of Wearables to Monitor Activity in Palliative Care. In Palliative Medicine. Barcelona, ES: Sage Journals.

MLA:

Öhl, Natalie, et al. "Mapping Social Implications of Wearables to Monitor Activity in Palliative Care." Proceedings of the The 13th World Research Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, Barcelona Sage Journals, 2024.

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