Reflections on Space and Technology
As you navigate the chilly evening air after completing your Christmas shopping, take a moment to look up at the night sky. Despite the clouds, you might catch a glimpse of something bright moving swiftly across the darkness. Is it Santa? Or perhaps the International Space Station (ISS)?
This year, ten astronauts will spend Christmas aboard the ISS, continuing a tradition that has persisted for 25 years. We should also remember the cosmonauts who celebrated the holiday on Mir, the first modular space station, which laid the groundwork for the ISS.
The Legacy of Mir
- Mir was a symbol of Soviet space achievement but ultimately succumbed to political and financial pressures.
- After the Soviet Union’s collapse, funding dwindled, leading to safety issues, including a significant fire.
- Mir’s demise was not due to its size but rather the overwhelming expectations and mismanagement surrounding it.
The NHS App’s Growing Complexity
As I reflect on these stories, I am reminded of the NHS App, which seems to be accumulating additional features at an unsustainable rate. While the app has gained popularity among politicians eager to associate with its success, this proximity to political interests can be risky for any IT project.
From my experience with the Great North Care Record, I understand that while success has many contributors, failure often stands alone. The NHS App’s current trajectory resembles that of Mir, as it gathers more functionalities that may become challenging to manage.
Challenges of App Bloat
It’s essential to recognize that an app is just an app; it cannot single-handedly resolve the NHS’s challenges. We need a diverse range of specialized apps to effectively support the healthcare system. My extensive involvement in national EPR usability studies has shown that niche products tend to be more favored by users compared to those with broader scopes.
Consider how you felt when you first used Uber. It was a straightforward solution for getting a taxi. However, as it expanded its services to include food delivery and hotel bookings, it lost its original charm. This phenomenon, known as ‘app bloat,’ poses a similar risk to the NHS App.
Recommendations for the NHS App
To prevent the NHS App from becoming overloaded, it should focus on its primary function: serving as a gateway for users to access the ‘NHS App Store’ and find the services they need. This may require difficult conversations with policymakers, perhaps involving Sir Jim Mackey, who is currently addressing the issue of scope creep in NHS technology.
Reflections from the ISS
Meanwhile, the ISS crew faces their own challenges this Christmas, witnessing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia from their vantage point. I hope they can come together to celebrate the holiday despite the somber backdrop.
As we approach the new year, I wish everyone a peaceful holiday season and hope that both the NHS App and I can avoid unnecessary complications.
Wishing peace on Earth and goodwill to all.
Professor Joe McDonald is the medical director at Sleepstation and The Access Group, a former NHS trust medical director, and a consultant psychiatrist. He is also the author of FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas, a collection of columns published by Digital Health News.