This lecture explores the expanding role of wearable devices in health research and the ethical, privacy, and regulatory challenges they present. With advancements in sensor technology, data analytics, and connectivity, wearables like smartwatches and fitness trackers now offer real-time health diagnostics, early disease detection, and personalized health recommendations. These capabilities provide new opportunities for public health monitoring and remote healthcare management but also raise concerns about data privacy, misuse, and corporate control over sensitive information.
We discuss the complexities of using consumer-grade wearables in research, including the impact of opaque algorithms and varying global data protection regulations such as the GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA. The lecture provides insights into how researchers and healthcare professionals can navigate these challenges, maintain ethical standards, and leverage wearables to improve health outcomes while protecting individual privacy.
Ideal for researchers, healthcare professionals, and those interested in the ethical implications of wearable technology in health research.
0:00 Introduction
3:00 History & Background
4:30 Data transaction in Research
5:30 Practical implications of conducting research with consumer wearables
8:20 Examples of data breaches
9:00 Regulation and Compliance: A Case Study
12:00 Regulation: Regional Differences
14:29 Concluding thoughts
References:
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dx.doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2021-107353
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The concluding remarks were largely derived from material presented in 'Growth' by Daniel Susskind: www.penguin.co.uk/books/446381/growth-by-susskind-daniel/9780241542309