What makes a good home-based nocturnal seizure detector? A value sensitive design
Judith van Andel1, Frans Leijten1, Hans van Delden2
1University Medical Centre Utrecht, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Plos One
|April 16, 2015
Summary
A new in-home device for detecting nocturnal seizures is being developed using value-sensitive design. This approach ensures patient and developer values guide the medical technology, improving epilepsy care.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Technology Design
- Epilepsy Care
Background:
- Medical technology design is not value-neutral, with user and developer perspectives significantly influencing choices.
- Traditional development processes often overlook these influences, leaving value-related decisions implicit and poorly justified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To integrate stakeholder values into the development of an in-home nocturnal seizure detection device.
- To explore the feasibility of value-sensitive design in creating new medical technologies.
Main Methods:
- A parallel ethics study utilizing value-sensitive design principles was conducted.
- Stakeholder communication was analyzed to identify key values: health, trust, autonomy, accessibility, and reliability.
- These values were linked to design choices, and their consequences (risks and benefits) were investigated.
Main Results:
- Five core values (health, trust, autonomy, accessibility, reliability) were identified as crucial for the seizure detector's development.
- The value-sensitive design methodology proved feasible for integrating ethical considerations into the design process.
Conclusions:
- Value-sensitive design offers a structured approach to substantiate design choices in new medical technology.
- This methodology can help ensure that medical devices align with the values of all stakeholders, ultimately improving patient care and device effectiveness.
