Improving Healthcare Processes

The Scottish Approach to Service Design (SAtSD) is based on a collaborative, inclusive and ethical approach. The resources provided by the Scottish Government state that:

• Doing research in an ethical manner ensures that:

  • participants are safe
  • researchers are safe
  • research is valid (objectivity and integrity)
  • research is lawful and transparent
  • research is inclusive and respectful’

Further information is available from the Digital Office again with the emphasis on ethical approaches which can include conducting a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) also encouraged by the Information Commissioner’s Office. An example of their Regulatory Sandbox activity with JISC looked at student support and wellbeing.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries rapidly developed contact tracing apps. The NHS Scotland Test and Protect app focused on Transparency – Evidence, Ethics and Impact. An article by Dr Pagliari in the Journal of Global Health considered the ethics and value of these apps.