The Role and Challenges of Using Digital Tools for COVID-19 Contact Tracing

Akarturk, Bahire

doi:10.15405/ejsbs.283

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Mobile phone apps (particularly apps to support contact tracing), mobile phone location tracking through Bluetooth and GPS technologies, drones, temperature-scanning technologies, and wearable devices were among those most commonly discussed. Digital technologies were most frequently used to support contact tracing (ie, to identify individuals with the disease or symptoms and those with whom they have been in contact) [ 10 , 11 , 21 - 173 ]; to inform decision making by public health agencies, states, and individuals [ 21 , 25 , 28 , 31 , 44 , 47 , 49 , 51 - 53 , 56 - 60 , 62 , 63 , 66 , 67 , 77 , 81 - 83 , 88 - 90 , 94 , 97 , 98 , 102 , 104 , 121 , 129 , 157 - 159 , 167 , 170 , 171 , 174 - 204 ]; to monitor compliance with public health measures [ 21 , 23 , 25 , 28 , 30 , 34 - 38 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 54 - 58 , 60 , 61 , 63 , 71 , 83 , 85 , 86 , 89 , 91 , …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of digital technologies used globally during the COVID-19 pandemic were identified as examples of privacy- and security-compromising surveillance. A frequently cited example was the use of cell phone location tracking to support contact tracing and quarantine enforcement in countries including Israel, India, the Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Argentina, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Norway [ 30 , 36 , 42 , 54 , 61 , 89 , 115 , 155 , 190 , 204 , 225 ]. The use of thermal cameras to detect fever among potentially symptomatic individuals in countries including the United States, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, and the United Kingdom was also identified as a form of surveillance that may reveal sensitive information about underlying health conditions (eg, pregnancy) or stigmatized behaviors (eg, substance use) [ 44 , 95 , 221 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Short- and Long-Term Predicted and Witnessed Consequences of Digital Surveillance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Comer,

Donelle,

Hiebert

et al. 2024

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the deployment of digital technologies for public health surveillance globally. The rapid development and use of these technologies have curtailed opportunities to fully consider their potential impacts (eg, for human rights, civil liberties, privacy, and marginalization of vulnerable groups). Objective We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed and gray literature to identify the types and applications of digital technologies used for surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predicted and witnessed consequences of digital surveillance. Methods Our methodology was informed by the 5-stage methodological framework to guide scoping reviews: identifying the research question; identifying relevant studies; study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarizing, and reporting the findings. We conducted a search of peer-reviewed and gray literature published between December 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. We focused on the first year of the pandemic to provide a snapshot of the questions, concerns, findings, and discussions emerging from peer-reviewed and gray literature during this pivotal first year of the pandemic. Our review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) reporting guidelines. Results We reviewed a total of 147 peer-reviewed and 79 gray literature publications. Based on our analysis of these publications, we identified a total of 90 countries and regions where digital technologies were used for public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most frequently used technologies included mobile phone apps, location-tracking technologies, drones, temperature-scanning technologies, and wearable devices. We also found that the literature raised concerns regarding the implications of digital surveillance in relation to data security and privacy, function creep and mission creep, private sector involvement in surveillance, human rights, civil liberties, and impacts on marginalized groups. Finally, we identified recommendations for ethical digital technology design and use, including proportionality, transparency, purpose limitation, protecting privacy and security, and accountability. Conclusions A wide range of digital technologies was used worldwide to support public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of our analysis highlight the importance of considering short- and long-term consequences of digital surveillance not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but also for future public health crises. These findings also demonstrate the ways in which digital surveillance has rendered visible the shifting and blurred boundaries between public health surveillance and other forms of surveillance, particularly given the ubiquitous nature of digital surveillance. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053962

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short- and Long-Term Predicted and Witnessed Consequences of Digital Surveillance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Comer,

Donelle,

Hiebert

et al. 2024

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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show abstract

“…As stated, the importance of digital devices to fight coronavirus in controlling and eradicating coronavirus is utilised. Thanks to recent advances in molecular engineering and calculations as well as information and communication technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data can help handle data, epidemic outbreak monitoring times, current forecast trends/ forecasts, regular situation briefings and updates from government agencies and information on the utilization of health facilities (11) . It can also analyze big data on the information network that can effectively make accurate predictions about the spread of COVID-19 to formulate appropriate policy measures.…”

Section: Figure 4: Display On Smartphone Room Temperature Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A World Health Organization report on contact tracking reveals that the use of digital tools in contact tracking is important for public health and controlling the spread of the virus. Contact tracking breaks down traces of transmission from human to human by identifying those exposed to confirmed cases, quarantine, and follow-up to achieve rapid isolation (11) .…”

Section: Self-isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation of a Room Temperature Control System in Patient Rooms with Positive COVID-19 Patients

Adri,

Ahmad,

Sulaiman

et al. 2021

Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

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Technology development triggers the development of human thought to be able to create innovations to improve performance. The increasing cases of COVID-19 infection mean that you should seek to break the chain of this virus by self-isolation. However, the purpose of self-isolation rooms should be considered especially at rooms without air conditioning. These technological innovations are needed to provide comfort for patients and families. The goal of this study is to give families of COVID-19 positive patients easy access to their loved ones' rooms without having to physically enter the room. The procedure is artificial intelligence with Arduino programming using Arduino IDE that is part of the micro controller board. Microcontrolled systems can be thought of as being like an integrated computer system packaged in a single chip. The result showed the temperature control system tool was able to work well with a temperature error rate of 1.13%. It is known that in COVID-19-positive patients it is very helpful for families to monitor room temperature and for patients to rest comfortably.

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“…One of the most relevant topics in modern media is the topic of the coronavirus pandemic (Akarturk, 2020). Words naming pandemic realities have become key words in the sociocultural space.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%