Using digital phenotyping to characterize psychosocial trajectories for people with burn injury

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J89474

Journal:

Burns

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2022 , 48, 5, 1262-1266

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Article describes a study underway that uses digital phenotyping to characterize burn survivors’ psychosocial recovery. Digital phenotyping refers to the process of quantifying individual behavior using data generated through human interaction with electronic devices, in particular smartphones. This data can be both: (1) active, wherein the individual is required to perform a task (e.g., complete a survey); or (2) passive, wherein the data is automatically recorded and generated from smartphone sensors or call logs and there is no requirement of the individual other than normal daily activity or behavior. This study uses smartphones to continuously assess community-dwelling burn survivors over a period of six months. Week-to-week survey results will generate trajectories of change in markers of physical, psychological, and social health in a community-dwelling burn survivor population. The day-to-day passively collected behavioral data has the potential to timely screen burn survivors at risk and guide individualized targeted treatments in the future. Some of the challenges as well as the advantages to assessing burn survivors’ outcomes through digital phenotyping are discussed.

Author(s):