This presentation is situated within the MyDigiTwin (MDT) consortium, a research project aiming to create a Digital Twin (DT), where Dutch citizens, including patients, can compare their health data (e.g., heart rate, weight, exercise) to existing big datasets. The platform will implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to predict a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). DTs originate from industry; they are digital models in which a physical entity is digitally simulated to manage and make predictions regarding possible ‘optimal functioning’- in this case, low risk for CVD (Jones et al., 2020). The consortium’s objective is to improve early detection and prevention of CVD. Given the ongoing R&D of DTs, this presentation seeks to carefully disentangle how potential new roles and responsibilities of citizens and physicians are inscribed in the technology’s ‘script’ and what this might entail for people’s daily lives. 

Drawing on in-depth interviews that we will conduct with Dutch CVD patients, we seek to address the following research questions: What are the lived experiences of these patients and how do (or do not) technologies play a role in this? What are their hopes, concerns, and expectations concerning AI (specifically, DT) assisted self-monitoring? The notion of ‘script’ is used as an analytical lens to study how the envisioned functionalities of the DTs shape these patients' actions in accordance with (Pols & Moser, 2009). 

Although the interviews have yet to take place, we already organised exploratory feedback session on MDT, with six patients and six healthcare professionals (cardiologists, nurses and other hospital staffmembers). Findings show that, while acknowledging the motivational potential for lifestyle changes, concerns are expressed regarding the psychological impact of comparing one’s data with others and the burden of managing and inputting data. Trust in the technology was discussed as a decisive factor influencing technology adoption, with preferences for these technologies to complement rather than replace care from healthcare professionals. Overall, our studies contribute to patients’ perspectives on the envisioned technological scripts and the subsequent shifting roles and responsibilities. In the final presentation, in which we bring together the findings of the interviews and the feedback sessions, we seek to discuss how DTs shape everyday experiences of health and healthcare practices for patients with CVD. 

References:

Jones, D., Snider, C., Nassehi, A., Yon, J., & Hicks, B. (2020). Characterising the Digital Twin: A systematic literature review. Cirp Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology, 29, 36–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirpj.2020.02.002
Pols, J., & Moser, I. (2009). Cold technologies versus warm care? On affective and social relations with and through care technologies. ALTER, European Journal of Disability, 3(2), 159–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alter.2009.01.003