A scenario assessment on privacy dilemmas rising from the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the form of a tracking and tracing network for sustaining long-term home-care for Dutch mentally and/or physically disabled individuals and elderly : the ELderly and DISables personal Security system (ELDIS) : Commission for health care in the Netherlands

Abstract

This thesis is the result of an assignment commissioned by the Institute for Rehabilitation Research (IRV) in the Netherlands. The objective here has been to assess -by means of scenarios- potential privacy dilemmas rising with the implementation of a tracking and tracing network for elderly and disabled individuals in the country, to accordingly present a series of recommendations to the institute. The recommendations expected were to present possibilities for changes and/or adaptations on the technology conforming the network. However, the scenarios developed, clearly demonstrated that privacy dilemmas rising from the application of this type of information and communication technology are not solely based on the technological device conforming such a network. As authors like Bijker, Tidd and Ripp, among other in the STS field have stressed, the social sphere in which technological development occurs influence and form its development as well. In this case, special consideration needed to be given to the array of actors involved, their capabilities, interpretations and interests. In base of the findings, the recommendations broadened to include long-term and short-term changes/adaptations on both the technical device and the social sphere of the network. The recommendations vary between technical adaptations, re-considerations aimed for the country’s health care system, and reforms on various established policies, to the need for changes on policy-makers attitudes. Only when these recommendations are put into action will the network’s patient information be a step further to be sustained.