Digital health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Learning lessons to maintain momentum (Februrary 2021)

Summary

This report has been developed by the Patient Coalition for AI, Data and Digital Tech in Health, which aims to unite representatives from patient advocacy groups, including Patient Safety Learning, Royal Colleges, medical charities, industry and other stakeholders committed to ensuring that patient interests. The report highlights that uptake of digital health technologies has been limited, while patient experience of technologies including video conferencing and mobile apps has been mixed. Although patients strongly believe in the value of digital health, there are still significant concerns about using it, particularly around data collection and sharing.

Content

Tthe report recommends the government should:

• Ensure digital policy reflects patient priorities.
• Involve patients in the policymaking process.
• Educate people about the value of digital health technology.
• Make digital health technology accessible to all.
• Ensure that regulations for the collection, sharing and use of patient data are clear and consistently applied.

The report also includes recommendations for the NHS. They include:

• Examine the public experience of digital health technology during the pandemic.
• Ensure patients have a choice.
• Give patients more time and control over their health and care.
• Reassure patients that their data is safe.
• Continue to strengthen and publicise digital assurance.

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