biostudies-literatureUnknown21(1)Wai Wong WC<h4>Purpose</h4>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic facilitated the rapid development of digital detection surveillance (DDS) for outbreaks. This qualitative study examined how DDS for infectious diseases (ID) was perceived and experienced by primary care physicians and patients in order to highlight ethical considerations for promoting patients' autonomy and health care rights.<h4>Methods</h4>In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected group of 16 primary care physicians and 24 of their patients. The group was reflective of a range of ages, educational attainment, and clinical experiences from urban areas in northern and southern China. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated. Two researchers coded data and organized it into themes. A tAnnals of family medicine33-39https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9870645biostudies-literaturePrimary Care Physicians' and Patients' Perspectives on Equity and Health Security of Infectious Disease Digital Surveillance.PMC9870645Ma YXLiu JMolassiotis AWai Wong WCLu XQPang QZhao IYDong WNHolroyd EfalsePrimary Care Physicians' and Patients' Perspectives on Equity and Health Security of Infectious Disease Digital Surveillance.<h4>Purpose</h4>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic facilitated the rapid development of digital detection surveillance (DDS) for outbreaks. This qualitative study examined how DDS for infectious diseases (ID) was perceived and experienced by primary care physicians and patients in order to highlight ethical considerations for promoting patients' autonomy and health care rights.<h4>Methods</h4>In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposefully selected group of 16 primary care physicians and 24 of their patients. The group was reflective of a range of ages, educational attainment, and clinical experiences from urban areas in northern and southern China. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated. Two researchers coded data and organized it into themes. A t2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan-Feb2026-07-16T21:15:14.843Z2025-04-06T14:07:29.002ZS-EPMC98706453663508410.1370/afm.2895