phat 17(10): e4

Research Article

Using design fictions as a tool for engaging citizens in debating future pervasive health systems and services

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  • @ARTICLE{10.4108/eai.13-7-2017.152888,
        author={E. Tsekleves and A. Darby and A. Whicher and P. Swiatek},
        title={Using design fictions as a tool for engaging citizens in debating future pervasive health systems and services},
        journal={EAI Endorsed Transactions on Pervasive Health and Technology},
        volume={3},
        number={10},
        publisher={EAI},
        journal_a={PHAT},
        year={2017},
        month={7},
        keywords={Design Fiction; Speculative Design; Pervasive Healthcare; Personal Health Systems; Independent living; Ethics; Social Challenges.},
        doi={10.4108/eai.13-7-2017.152888}
    }
    
  • E. Tsekleves
    A. Darby
    A. Whicher
    P. Swiatek
    Year: 2017
    Using design fictions as a tool for engaging citizens in debating future pervasive health systems and services
    PHAT
    EAI
    DOI: 10.4108/eai.13-7-2017.152888
E. Tsekleves1,*, A. Darby1, A. Whicher2, P. Swiatek2
  • 1: Lancaster University, The LICA Building, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YW, UK
  • 2: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus, Western Ave., Cardiff, CF5 2YB, UK
*Contact email: e.tsekleves@lancaster.ac.uk

Abstract

The benefits provided by health-related technologies are often counterbalanced by the societal, legal and ethical challenges connected with the pervasive monitoring of people, as necessitated by such technological interventions. Through the ProtoPolicy research project we explored the co-creation and use of design fictions as a tool for open debate of pervasive health systems. Design fictions were co-created and tested in a series of design workshops with community groups in the UK. A thematic analysis of a debate among older people on a smart home and assisted living design fiction highlighted societal and ethical issues relevant to personal and pervasive health system design. We conclude that ethics, like ‘usability’, may be usefully based on engagement with directly or indirectly implicated publics and should not be designed into innovation by experts alone.