Paper 1 2015 Question 1 Key

1. BodyGuardian
(a) (i) Identify two health indicators that could be measured by the BodyGuardian device.

[2] Answers may include:
 body temperature
 respiratory rate
 blood pressure
 sugar levels (blood glucose)
 heart rate/pulse rate
 electrocardiogram (ECG).

Award [1] for each of the above up to a maximum of [2].

(ii) Identify four steps taken by the software to decide if a health indicator measurement needs to be sent to a doctor for a decision. [4]
Answers may include:
 device takes the measurement
 measurement converted to digital data/ analogue to digital conversion (ADC)
 data sent from BodyGuardian device to smartphone
 patient data is uploaded to mHealth system for analysis
 value is compared with the “normal” value stored in device for patient
 if value is outside accepted range, then signal is sent to doctor for action to be taken
 if value is inside accepted range, then no signal is sent
 device waits for next time interval to take new measurement.
Consider any four steps in the response.
Award [1] for each step up to a maximum of [4].

(b) The managers of mHealth are investigating the nature of passwords used by doctors to access patient information. The two options being investigated are:
 the doctor creates a password that does not need to be changed
 the mHealth system requires doctors to create a strong password that must be changed every 40 days.
Analyse these two options.[6]

Answers may include:
 Option: password created by doctor that does not need to be changed
- familiar for doctor and probably easy for him to remember
- no need to write it down therefore it will not be found by others
- others with access to the computer may “guess” it if they know the doctor well
- if the password is discovered/cracked it can be used for an indefinite time period. the doctor may not be aware that the password has been compromised
- may allow doctor to access account faster as no need to look-up the password
- a password that is never changed creates a security problem as people close to doctor may find out the password (ie see it, guess it)
- may not be a strong password

 Option: strong password created by doctors that must be changed every 40 days
- secure as it may not be related to the doctor– therefore difficult to guess
- the need of constantly updating the password in mHealth will improve the security as it may be harder to guess
- may be difficult for doctors to remember which variant of the password they have used
- doctor may need to keep it written down – therefore it has the risk of being found by others
- may have difficult characters that may not be in a keyboard of mobile devices.

[1–2]: A limited response that demonstrates minimal knowledge and understanding of the topic and uses little or no appropriate ITGS terminology. Only one of the options is addressed in the response.
[3–4]: A partial analysis, either lacking detail or balance, that demonstrates some knowledge and understanding of the topic. Some relevant examples from the scenario are used within the response. There is some use of appropriate ITGS terminology in the response. Both options are either explicitly or implicitly implied in the response.
[5–6]: A balanced and detailed analysis of the issue which demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of the topic. Relevant examples from the scenario are used throughout the response. There is appropriate ITGS terminology throughout the response. Both options are explicitly addressed in the response.

(c) As part of the development of the BodyGuardian device, it is being tested in clinical trials by doctors and patients. Discuss the implications for doctors and patients of trialling the BodyGuardian device before it is sold publicly. [8]

Answers may include:

 may have to do double checks: with and without the device – this will take more time and put the patient under unnecessary stress / may take time from busy doctors
 if doctors/patients discover that incorrect information is being sent from the device they may not trust it / feel uncomfortable about having to use it
 if device works well doctors/patients may advertise it positively, making others more willing to use it
 doctors/patients may need training to use the device
 patients in the trial may feel their health is being more effectively monitored
 patients and/or doctors may provide feedback to improve final device
 patients may need to be assured that security measures have been taken to protect the privacy of their data
 doctors may have an opportunity to learn how to use the device before it is sold publicly.

In part (c) of this question it is expected there will be a balance in the ITGS terminology between IT technical terminology and the terminology related to social and ethical impacts.

Student Sample