NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)’s Post

🔬  New research reveals severely unwell mental health inpatient attitudes to wearable sensor technology Our study of 83 patients during acute psychiatric episodes provides important insights into technology acceptance during mental health crises. Key findings: – 65% would wear visible monitoring devices – 70% accept concealed sensors – 54% agree to continuous monitoring – Patients prefer everyday objects like watches and wristbands This research addresses a significant evidence gap. People with severe mental illness face 15-20 years shorter life expectancy, largely from preventable conditions that real-time monitoring could help address. The study shows patients engaged thoughtfully with complex questions about technology and privacy during their most vulnerable moments – challenging assumptions about capacity and interest in this population. For developers: Patient preferences differ from those with physical conditions - greater acceptance of visible devices but more caution about data sharing. For clinicians: These findings suggest new possibilities for remote monitoring and early intervention in mental healthcare. Read co-author Jeroen Bergmann's blog post here: https://lnkd.in/d5pSGxur Full paper: https://lnkd.in/dYW2jnFv #MentalHealth #DigitalHealth #WearableTech #PatientCentredCare #HealthTech #MentalHealthResearch #NIHR