STAFFIN and Trotternish residents – who may suffer from long-term medical conditions like diabetes – are being sought by researchers studying how technology is used in rural communities’ health services.
The Glasgow School of Art is working on a project called Digital Empathy in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands. It is specifically looking at how digital technology is currently used and trying to come up with proposals to improve interactions between health professionals and patients. The GSA, which has a Forres base, is one of the UK’s leading institutions for creative research, education and practice. Researcher Sneha Raman said the planned Skye event would focus on people who have used digital healthcare services or would be interested in using them in the future. “This project idea came from our partners at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), who are currently piloting a Diabetes Video Conference consultation clinic which also involves few NHS staff. Our focus is on understanding how the public interact with health professionals and to explore how the experience can be improved to be more empathic, especially when using technology,” said Ms Raman, who explained a drop in “experience lab” was scheduled for Thursday, February 11 at a venue to be decided in Skye.
Volunteers are needed for research event.