New research reveals the importance of health tech for children with long-term illnesses
Research led by the University of Leicester has revealed that personalised and easy-to-use health technology can have a beneficial effect on children and young people with long-term conditions.
The review, which was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, was undertaken by researchers from the University of Leicester, alongside Sheffield Hallam University, the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York, and the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR).
It looked at the preferences of young people up to the age of 18 years old when using health technology to manage long-term conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, anxiety, depression, and asthma.
Lead researcher, Dr Jackie Martin-Kerry, a Research Fellow from the University of Leicester’s School of Healthcare, said: “The review clearly shows how important it is to acknowledge that children and young people have their own expert opinions about health technology and should be involved in its development to ensure its success and continued uptake, rather than only asking parents or clinicians.”
Researchers analysed data from 161 journal articles undertaken in mostly high-income countries, describing the preferences of children and young people.
To ensure the findings were meaningful and contextually appropriate, a patient and public advisory group of young people with LTCs from across England was put together to guide the study and lead the development of recommendations for future health technology development/research.
The study found that children and young people have four main preferences and needs, which include design and functionality, such as easy to use applications and clear content with the use of bright colours and age- and developmentally-appropriate imagery and multi-media content.
Additionally, a balance between privacy and sharing when using technology. For instance, the ability to connect with others with similar conditions or experiences through chat rooms and immediacy of communication with healthcare professionals and assessment via messaging or video to facilitate timely and targeted intervention.
Interaction within the technology to communicate is also important, avoiding embarrassment and maintaining independence. The children and young people also expected security functions in healthcare technologies and appreciated autonomy and control over their information.
Finally, the ability to customise and personalise technologies using emojis and design avatar characters, as well as being able to set motivational goals and personalised reminders to incentivise them to progress and achieve, is key.
Dr Martin-Kerry said: “This review highlights important preferences and needs that children and young people have around their health technology in relation to LTCs.
“Future research should involve children and young people who are living with the respective conditions throughout development of the technologies, from identifying their unmet needs through to final design, evaluation and implementation, to address the identified needs and preferences.”
Veronica Swallow, Professor of Child and Family Nursing and Healthcare at Sheffield Hallam University, added: “Healthcare professionals are increasingly incorporating technology into patient care, using telehealth, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, devices and smartphone applications.
“Despite this, little was known about the preferences of children and young people using it and that’s why this review is vital if we’re to ensure long-term engagement with health technologies.
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