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. 2024 Aug 19;77Suppl 4(Suppl 4):e20230041.
doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0041. eCollection 2024.

The use of individual tracking programs in public health: a bioethics dilemma

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Ricardo Jardim Neiva  1 , João Felício Rodrigues Neto  2 , Ana Paula Oliveira Nascimento Alves  2 , Patrícia de Sousa Fernandes Queiroz  3 , Leila das Graças Siqueira  2 , Clara Cynthia Melo E Lima  1 , Francisca Souza Santos Dias  1 , Renê Ferreira da Silva-Júnior  4
Affiliations

The use of individual tracking programs in public health: a bioethics dilemma

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Ricardo Jardim Neiva et al. Rev Bras Enferm. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: to understand the bioethical perspectives on mobile tracking device use.

Methods: theoretical study based on action research, carried out with eight graduate students from a public university. A focus group was used, with a thematic content analysis methodology with a codebook structure, approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

Results: from the analysis, there was a concern about using devices after the pandemic ended. Using or not the device, rights inherent to humans, legislation and effectiveness of methods deepen interpretations, moving participants from a personalistic conception of the topic to a vision focused on professional implications about the methods.

Final considerations: the debate on the impact of using technological devices on health, especially those that imply restriction of rights that refer to individuals' private life, involves a discussion of a professional nature, in addition to requirement for clear rules on the topic.

Objetivo:: comprender las perspectivas bioéticas sobre el uso de dispositivos móviles de seguimiento.

Métodos:: estudio teórico basado en la investigación acción, realizado con ocho estudiantes de posgrado de una universidad pública. Se utilizó un grupo focal, con metodología de análisis de contenido temático con estructura de libro de códigos, aprobada por el Comité de Ética en Investigación.

Resultados:: del análisis surgió la preocupación por el uso de dispositivos una vez terminada la pandemia. El uso o no del dispositivo, los derechos inherentes a la persona humana, la legislación y la eficacia de los métodos profundizan las interpretaciones, trasladando a los participantes de una concepción personalista del tema a una visión centrada en las implicaciones profesionales de los métodos.

Consideraciones finales:: el debate sobre el impacto del uso de dispositivos tecnológicos en la salud, especialmente aquellos que implican restricción de derechos que se refieren a la vida privada de las personas, implica una discusión profesional, además de la exigencia de reglas claras sobre el tema.

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