Expert insights on digital contact tracing

Interviews with contact tracing policy professionals in New Zealand

Bibliographic Data

ID22944284
AuthorsT Chambers (0000-0002-0216-8224, Department of Public Health, University of Otago , Wellington , New Zealand, corresponding author), R Egan (0000-0001-9964-6175, University of Otago), Karyn Maclennan (University of Otago), Tepora Emery (0000-0001-6137-9577, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology), Sarah Derrett (0000-0003-2867-0498, University of Otago)
Year2022
Volume37
Issue3
Publication date2022-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daac059
PMID35788307
OpenAlexW4283825824
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited10

Digital contact tracing (DCT) is the application of digital tools to assist with identifying and informing close contacts of a COVID-19 case. DCT is a potential solution to capacity constraints of current manual contact tracing processes. Expert opinion from contact tracing professionals rarely informs public discourse on the benefits and limitations of DCT solutions. Three focus groups were undertaken in New Zealand to understand benefits and limitations of DCT solutions from contact tracing professionals. One was with the National Investigation and Tracing Centre (NITC) and two were with Public Health Units (PHUs). Participants highlighted four key themes including: (i) equity, (ii) privacy, (iii) communication and public perception and (iv) the operational model. Participants were concerned DCT solutions could exacerbate existing health inequities due to lack of access to, or familiarity with, technology. Poor communication and public understanding of DCT were seen as a major threat to both the efficacy of DCT solutions and the wider COVID-19 response. Most importantly, end-users were cautious of the operational model for DCT data that might: (i) attempt to replace manual processes that cannot or should not be automated by technology (case investigations, follow-ups); (ii) place undue burden on citizens and (iii) increase the workload for the current system beyond its capacity, for unproven or limited benefit. To be effective, contact tracing professionals believed DCT technologies must have strong privacy safeguards, a clear and simple communication strategy, interoperability with the existing contact tracing system and a foundation of health equity.

Contact tracing · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Equity (law) · Internet privacy · Interoperability · Pathology · Political science · Public health · Public relations · World Wide Web · Computer Science · COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing · Data-Driven Disease Surveillance · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Privacy, Security, and Data Protection · Psychology