'Barely keeping the wheels on the trolley': A qualitative study of the New Zealand COVID Tracer App
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Date
2024-09-01
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd.
Rights
(c) 2024 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Digital contact tracing apps were developed to help control the spread of COVID-19 but research exploring these apps has underrepresented both 'at-risk' communities and contact tracers. Our study examines perspectives of the New Zealand COVID Tracer app among 53 participants, comprising policy advisors, contact tracers, and Māori, Pacific, and disability stakeholders, underpinned by the theory of social construction of which positions technology within the social context in which it evolves, operates, and is negotiated. Although community stakeholders believed the app helped safeguard communities from COVID-19, the health officials' views on the app's usefulness in contact tracing varied. Participants who oversaw the app's technical development generally perceived it as being more useful, particularly regarding Bluetooth proximity detection, in contrast with contact tracers' perceptions. The findings highlight a disconnection between public sentiment and operational reality in the use of the app and the need for improved collaboration and consultation in future contact tracing responses.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, Contact tracing, Digital contact tracing, NZ COVID Tracer, Social construction of technology, Humans, COVID-19, New Zealand, Mobile Applications, Contact Tracing, Qualitative Research, SARS-CoV-2, Male, Female
Citation
Elers P, Derrett S, Emery T, Chambers T. (2024). 'Barely keeping the wheels on the trolley': A qualitative study of the New Zealand COVID Tracer App.. Soc Sci Med. 356. (pp. 117147-).