What Is Digital Epidemiology?
Damian Jacob Sendler ‘s research sees digital epidemiology and as a gateway towards studying how the Internet influences health information exchange among people. Existing literature suggests that we can accurately look at specific digital trends, such as the frequency with which different users discuss particular health topics, and correlate that information with potential health risks. One of the best-studied models of this epidemiological phenomenon is influenza. And by looking at the spikes and people’s interest in recognizing signs and symptoms of influenza, researchers have been able to pinpoint the exact geographic locations where influenza was about to hit the hardest. Therefore, we can apply this principle to understand other health-related conditions and to see whether public interest and understanding correlates with particular risks or concerns.
What to Look At?
Damian Jacob Sendler it’s particularly interested in understanding how technology affects mental health. It is no surprise that most of the people around the world are glued into their digital screens, which they used to date, obtain health information, learn the latest news, and connect with the world at large. There are advantages and disadvantages is of living in the digital age. Damian Jacob Sendler’s research has looked at the particularly vulnerable populations of individuals who deal with paraphilias or self-destructive behaviors and has shown that technology can often be helpful to people with debilitating mental health problems.
Technological Advantages
The biggest advantage of using technology is that it creates a form of conductivity among people. Damian Jacob Sendler and his scholar collaborators have studied how people with specific mental health problems create online support communities. Whether we look at people with severe depression or people that have unusual sexual attraction resulting in distress, it is clear that the Internet opens up the door for connecting with others, who might be dealing with similar psychological distress. And the biggest advantage here is that people can anonymously seek information without being judged by anyone. No questions are too ridiculous to ask. And the Internet obviously connects people with a wealth of information and expert opinions; all of these factors allow people experiencing psychological distress to better understand the roots of their mental health problems.
Digital epidemiology has numerous applications, including in telemedicine.
Technological Disadvantages
Damian Jacob Sendler’s research has shown a case in case that there are many disadvantages facing people who seek health information on the Internet regarding their particular mental health concerns. First, there are issues regarding privacy; the Internet can be easily exploited by third-party actors. Second, there is no comment filter for the quality of information obtained online; this poses the challenge is to verify what is true and what is not regarding specific mental health conditions. Third, some people might actually use online spaces to target those who experience psychological distress to further abuse them; and this issue as especially prominent am on people who are suicidal.
Recommendations
Damian Jacob Sendler’s work highlights the need to study how Internet technologies influence the exchange of health information among vulnerable populations of people. We need to understand how people obtain, process, and understand information regarding their mental health. We also need to look into how we can use these data to develop resources for people who experience psychiatric distress, including novel e-therapy solutions.
