Publications

@article{Hedrich2022,
title = {Infection tracking in travellers using a mobile app (ITIT): The pilot study},
author = {Nadja Hedrich and Thibault Lovey and Esther Kuenzli and Gilles Epéron and Ulf Blank and Patricia Schlagenhauf},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893922002721},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102526},
isbn = {2022.102526},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-12-20},
journal = {Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease},
volume = {52},
abstract = {Background: Current surveillance of travellers’ health captures only a small proportion of illness events. We
aimed to evaluate the usability and feasibility of using an app to enable travellers to self-report illness.
Method: This pilot study assesses a novel mobile application called Infection Tracking in Travellers (ITIT) that
records travel-related symptoms with associated geolocation and weather data. Participants were recruited in
three Swiss travel clinics between December 2021 and March 2022. A feedback survey was used to examine app
ease of use, and data from the app was used to examine travel and illness patterns as a proof-of-concept for the
larger ITIT study.
Results: Participants were recruited from Zürich, Basel, and Geneva, with 37 individuals completing a total of 394
questionnaires in 116 locations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Illness symptoms were reported by
41% of participants, 67% of which were respiratory. The post travel questionnaire showed that all participants
found the app easy to use and 63% said they would recommend it to others. Several users provided suggestions
for improved usability.
Conclusion: The app fulfilled its function as a research tool linking infection symptoms with geolocation and
climate data.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Ferretti2021,
title = {Mobile apps for travel medicine and ethical considerations: A systematic review},
author = {Agata Ferretti and Nadja Hedrich and Thibault Lovey and Effy Vayena and Patricia Schlagenhauf},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102143},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-07-13},
journal = {Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease},
volume = {43},
number = {102143},
abstract = {Background
The advent of mobile applications for health and medicine will revolutionize travel medicine. Despite their many benefits, such as access to real-time data, mobile apps for travel medicine are accompanied by many ethical issues, including questions about security and privacy.

Methods
A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Database screening yielded 1795 results and seven papers satisfied the criteria for inclusion. Through a mix of inductive and deductive data extraction, this systematic review examined both the benefits and challenges, as well as ethical considerations, of mobile apps for travel medicine.

Results
Ethical considerations were discussed with varying depth across the included articles, with privacy and data protection mentioned most frequently, highlighting concerns over sensitive information and a lack of guidelines in the digital sphere. Additionally, technical concerns about data quality and bias were predominant issues for researchers and developers alike. Some ethical issues were not discussed at all, including equity, and user involvement.

Conclusion
This paper highlights the scarcity of discussion around ethical issues. Both researchers and developers need to better integrate ethical reflection at each step of the development and use of health apps. More effective oversight mechanisms and clearer ethical guidance are needed to guide the stakeholders in this endeavour.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}