Urs-Vito Albrecht1, Jin Ye Yeo2
1Department of Digital Medicine, Medical Faculty OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany; 2MH Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. MH Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: editor@themhealth.org
This interview can be cited as: Albrecht UV, Yeo JY. Meeting the Editorial Board Member of MH: Dr. Urs-Vito Albrecht. mHealth. 2024. Available from: https://mhealth.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-editorial-board-member-of-mh-dr-urs-vito-albrecht.
Expert introduction
Dr. Urs-Vito Albrecht (Figure 1) is Head of Department of Digital Medicine at the Medical School OWL of Bielefeld University in Bielefeld, Germany. His major area of research is the use of mobile devices for medical and health-related purposes, with a special focus on ethical and legal aspects to be considered when employing such devices in such settings. To test hypotheses arising from this work, his working group is also involved in the development of mobile health applications. He is a licensed physician, Professor for Medical informatics and holds an additional degree in Public Health, with an emphasis on Public Health Ethics. He has a long-term experience as secretary, vice chairman and chairman of the Institutional Review Board of Hannover Medical School and is familiar with ethical and legal aspects of scientific research and regulation. He also acted as an advisor to the German Medical Council and the Medical Chamber of the State of Lower Saxony as well as the mHealth Guidelines Working Group of the European Commission, working on topics of mobile health.
Figure 1 Dr. Urs-Vito Albrecht
Interview
MH: What first drew you into the field of mobile health, and how did your background as a physician influence your research focus?
Dr. Albrecht: My interest in mobile health began with the realization of its potential to transform healthcare delivery and patient engagement. As a physician, I have witnessed challenges such as communication gaps, limited access to care, and the need for greater patient empowerment. This inspired me to explore how mobile devices could address these issues effectively. My clinical experience has been invaluable in shaping my research, allowing me to focus on practical solutions that address the needs of both patients and healthcare providers while maintaining the core values of medical care.
MH: As a licensed physician with an additional degree in public health, how do you see the relationship between medicine and technology evolving, particularly when it comes to integrating mobile devices into medical practices?
Dr. Albrecht: Medicine and technology are becoming increasingly interconnected, with mobile devices playing a pivotal role in transforming healthcare. From real-time data collection to telemedicine and personalized health solutions, these tools are reshaping how care is delivered and experienced. However, this integration should enhance—not replace—the human connection in medicine. It is crucial to strike a balance between technological advancements and maintaining a patient-centered approach, ensuring that these innovations improve accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care while addressing ethical and equity considerations.
MH: Ethical and legal considerations play a significant role in your work. What are the key challenges you have encountered in your research when developing health applications and addressing the ethical and legal considerations involved?
Dr. Albrecht: Key challenges include protecting data privacy, ensuring informed consent, and addressing inequalities in access to mobile health tools. Mobile applications often handle sensitive health information, which raises concerns about security and compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Another significant challenge is ensuring that these tools are accessible and usable for all, particularly for underserved populations or those unfamiliar with digital technologies. Overcoming these challenges requires close collaboration with legal experts, ethicists, and end users to create solutions that are secure, ethical, and inclusive.
MH: As mobile health applications continue to evolve, how do you balance the need for innovation with the necessity for vigorous clinical validation? What role does evidence-based medicine play in the development process?
Dr. Albrecht: Balancing innovation with clinical validation is critical to building trust in mobile health solutions. While innovation drives progress, rigorous clinical validation ensures safety, efficacy, and reliability. Evidence-based medicine serves as the foundation of our development process, guiding us in designing studies that produce credible and reproducible results. By incorporating clinical trials and user feedback early in development, we ensure that innovations meet both clinical standards and the needs of users without compromising on quality or ethical integrity.
MH: What are some of the significant challenges you foresee in the future of digital health, and how do you plan to address them through your work?
Dr. Albrecht: One major challenge is ensuring equitable access to digital health tools, as disparities in technology adoption can exacerbate existing health inequalities. Another is addressing data security and ethical concerns, especially with the increasing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. My work focuses on promoting inclusive design, advocating for clear regulatory frameworks, and conducting research that emphasizes transparency and accountability. By addressing these issues proactively, we can help ensure that digital health innovations benefit everyone, not just a select few.
MH: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of MH?
Dr. Albrecht: Serving as an Editorial Board Member of MH has been a rewarding experience. It has provided me with the opportunity to contribute to advancing the field of mobile health by engaging with ground-breaking research and collaborating with leading experts. I have particularly appreciated the role of reviewing and shaping studies that align with the journal’s mission to promote impactful, high-quality research in this dynamic area.
MH: As an Editorial Board Member, what are your aspirations and expectations for MH?
Dr. Albrecht: I hope to see MH continue as a leading platform for innovative and impactful research in mobile health. My aspiration is for the journal to not only highlight technological advancements but also critically explore their ethical, legal, and societal implications. I envision MH fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and bridging the gap between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, ensuring that mobile health developments remain both innovative and responsible.