Ask better questions about a health technology

A useful tool needs evidence, privacy and a clear purpose.

Start with a useful question

A health app, wearable or digital service should have a clear purpose. Ask what it measures, how the claim was evaluated and how personal information is handled. A device reading should not be treated as a complete assessment of an individual’s health.

Related reading: Prepare useful questions for a medical appointment · Find a clearer starting point for health information

Put the idea into practice

Read the original source where possible and check when it was published or reviewed. Look for the limits of the evidence, the population it describes and any commercial interest. Write down what remains unclear rather than filling a gap with an assumption.

Review what you learn

Use general information to prepare questions, not as a diagnosis or a personalised treatment plan. An appropriately qualified healthcare professional can help relate evidence to an individual situation. The official resource below offers a starting point for further reading.