Re-shaping society 

The COVID-19 pandemic swept through the world between 2019 and December 2024. Though the remedies were different to those of the Black Death, what connects these pandemics is their massive impact on society. 

The Black Death led to labour shortages and shifts in economic power. COVID-19 ushered in a global recession and the end of traditional working practices. As society regrouped, so the 14th century saw the introduction of strategies including quarantine and isolation, while Covid heralded the golden age of telehealth. 

As we move forward, so more and more healthcare providers are rolling out sophisticated health apps and wearable monitoring technology. Patients have moved fast to embrace the convenience and autonomy that such technology offers. 

But any evolution in healthcare, however necessary or well thought through, comes with risk. Some are obvious - such as ensuring that treatments are safe and effective, or that misinformation doesn’t undermine trust. But other risks are less apparent.  

Technology platforms, for example, can struggle to recognise the duty of care they owe users. Issues with the accuracy and reliability of health information provided by platforms can lead to misdiagnoses or inappropriate treatment. Likewise, virtual care businesses may fail to protect against the liabilities that can arise if technology glitches or cyber threats impact performance, threatening patient welfare and safety.