28.11.2024Workshop Recap: Unlocking the Acceptance of Digital Health Interventions

The event brought together 35 participants, including a diverse group of experts from six countries, to examine the key factors influencing the acceptance of digital health technologies. The international speakers included:

• Katrin Crameri, PhD, MPH, Co-Lead DigiSanté Program of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, Switzerland.
• Mirko Bischofberger, Lecturer & Expert in Science and Communication
• Fabio Brugger, Human Factors Engineer, Zühlke Group, Switzerland.
• Vasileios Nittas, EBPI, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
• Hannah McGowan, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention, Austria.
• Herfina Nababan, Department of Global Health, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Germany.
• Sofia Di Pippo, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy.
• Mireia Cano, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Spain.
• Pavithren Pakianathan, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention, Austria.
• Hlib Aleksandrenko, School of Public Health of National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Ukraine.
• Fabian Winiger, Spiritual Care, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

With healthcare increasingly embracing innovations such as Electronic Health Records for primary health data use, Data Spaces for secondary health data use, and mobile apps for managing diseases, the workshop highlighted the urgency of addressing public acceptance of these interventions. Discussions focused on three central questions:

1. Policy Development: How can health policies be crafted to foster trust and acceptance of digital health interventions?
2. Effective Communication: What strategies can effectively engage and educate the public about the benefits and risks of digital health interventions?
3. User-Centric Design: How can design principles enhance usability and accessibility to improve adoption?

The interactive format encouraged discussions among participants, generating actionable insights and interdisciplinary perspectives.

The workshop underscored the importance of a holistic approach to advancing digital health, with participants emphasizing that public acceptance hinges on aligning technological innovation with user needs, considerations of trustworthiness, clear and transparent communication, and robust policy frameworks.

The event was funded by the Digital Society Initative (DSI) – DSI Community Ethics
The workshop was facilitated by Federica Zavattaro, Dr Mina Stanikic, Dr Jana Sedlakova and Dr Felix Gille.

More information: Link