In an ever-changing world it is easy to live in the moment, to blame others for the state of the world, be it human conflict, climate change, financial market crises or even the availability of certain commodities including food.

But when you think about it, we should all be “masters of our own destiny”, but many of us are denied that opportunity due to life circumstances partly or wholly out with our control.

As we move through 2023 there is an increasing recognition that our individual health and wellbeing is not simply on a pre-determined genetic basis but is significantly impacted by our personal and social circumstances.

The World Health Organisation has also recognised that digital connectivity is also a social determinant that needs to be acknowledged by governments around the world.

So, what does this mean for you and me?

At a time when the provision of public services, particularly health and social care, are under a level of challenge never before experienced, I believe we have to realise that the way we delivered health and care services in the past will have to change.

The medical model of care where you hand your problem over to others to deal with, where you have to alter your way of doing things to be able to access care, where you are informed what is to happen to you, is no longer fit for purpose.

This should not really come as a surprise, as the way we bank, book holidays and even shop and how we pay for things has or is changing from days gone by.

Digital technologies, whatever you think of them, are playing an increasing part in our day to day lives. Even in health and care delivery digital technology is having an impact, although it is true that changes are happening slower in this environment than they are elsewhere. But be assured, it is no longer a question of whether technology will be adopted, it is simply a question of when. It is therefore important we recognise the new normal and plan for it.

We must ensure that these new tools and services serve our needs and aspirations. If designed and utilised effectively, they can make a significant contribution but only if they are used ethically and responsibly.

We must ensure that no one is left behind. To do this, user-centred design is of ultimate importance.

We must ensure that face to face care is not replaced by technology but is made more accessible for all those that require it wherever and whenever it is needed. Design is everything and common sense is key.

Just because you can do something using technology doesn’t mean you should do so!

We need to stop investing in digital solutions that simply serve the needs of organisations delivering health and care and those who work in them.

We need to invest more in providing accessible and engaging digital tools and services designed for you and me and our families and communities to use. Tools that can support us to make better health and wellbeing choices, services that we can access on our own terms, that cuts down on unnecessary bureaucracy and waste. Services that allow us to access and even deliver more of our own health and care for ourselves, our families and our communities.

All this is possible, it’s possible today, if there’s a will to do so. It is never about the technology itself, it’s all about people and it’s all about culture.

Creating an environment of trust and respect, supported by education, training and skills development in the use of current and future technologies will help secure adoption and scaling.

We know that lack of trust, based on fear or lack of knowledge is one of the greatest barriers that needs to be overcome. There needs to be as much time and effort and investment put into addressing these issues as there has been in designing the technology in the first place.

We need to listen to what users need and pay attention to their aspirations. If we can address this, it will be a good starting point on the journey.

And finally, when we are looking to decide what success looks like, don’t ask politicians, accountants, or medical experts, ask the service users what good will look like for them and plan accordingly.

By putting the citizen, the service user, truly at the heart of our planning, development, delivery of digital technology and deployment can do no harm, it can only make things better.

If you’re a citizen who wants to learn more and contribute to the codesign of digital health and care solutions in Scotland make sure you join the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre’s network… (https://www.dhi-scotland.com/join-our-network/)

Professor George Crooks OBE, is currently the Chief Executive the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre and was formerly the Medical Director for NHS 24 and Director of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth & Telecare. George was a General Medical Practitioner for 23 years in Aberdeen latterly combining that role as Director of Primary Care for Grampian.

Become masters of our own destiny - recognise the new normal and plan for it…