JMIR Human Factors

The aging population presents challenges for healthcare systems. Assistive technologies (ATs) like telemonitoring, fall detection, and self-monitoring devices offer potential solutions to support older adults and their care. However, successful implementation relies on their acceptance, which remains poorly understood, particularly among non-users.

Digital health tools such as smartphone apps have the potential to improve supportive cancer care. Although numerous smartphone apps for supportive care are available, few are designed using a user-centered approach. Such an approach is crucial for successful implementation, as it may improve user engagement, usability, and adoption in clinical settings.

Telepsychiatry has gained considerable attention, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although various factors influence the choice between online and offline modalities, differences among populations remain underexplored.

The growing prevalence of allergic diseases, alongside a shortage of trained allergists, creates significant challenges in delivering timely care, especially for underserved populations. Telemedicine presents a promising solution, offering remote care through digital tools. While telemedicine has been widely adopted in other fields, its use in allergy care remains underexplored.

Background: Latinas are one of the largest and fastest-growing female ethnic groups in the United States (US) and have high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors (SB), contributing to a disproportionate burden of chronic health conditions. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) involves the use of smartphone-based data collected in real-time to assess health behaviors and outcomes.

The rapid expansion of virtual care during COVID-19 accelerated the development of Virtual Hospital at Home, a model that delivers hospital-level care in patients’ homes through remote monitoring, virtual communication, and in-person support when required. While Virtual Hospital at Home offers potential to improve patient-centered care and health equity, rapid implementation often overlooked culturally diverse and underserved populations, including South Asian communities who experience disproportionate chronic disease burden and barriers to accessing culturally relevant services. Strategies are needed to ensure equitable design and adoption of Virtual Hospital at Home models.

Diagnostics, treatment, and research of persisting post-concussion symptoms are challenging. Assessing symptoms is essential, but current implemented methods only allow for retrospective reporting of symptoms. An mobile health (mHealth) symptom mapping app for adults with persisting post-concussion symptoms may be an accessible and cost-efficient alternative.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression is increasing globally, outpacing the capacity of traditional mental health services. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) provide a cost-effective alternative, but user engagement remains limited. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI)–powered conversational agents may enhance engagement and improve the user experience; however, with AI technology rapidly evolving, the acceptability of these solutions remains uncertain.

Web-based mental health forums have the potential to play a significant role in providing accessible support for young people, supplementing in-person services and contributing positively to their mental well-being. However, limited engagement often constrains their impact and effectiveness in supporting young people.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 3%-7% of children globally. Alternative treatments are needed to address the limitations of traditional pharmacotherapy and nonpharmacotherapy, such as drug side effects and substantial time and financial costs. In this light, digital therapeutics for childhood ADHD are emerging as an effective alternative, with the benefits of potentially being free from serious side effects associated with software-based treatments and facilitating easy home use without constraints on time or space.

With the rising global adoption of telemedicine, there is a crucial need to address inefficiencies and challenges in current service systems. This case study focuses on enhancing the telemedicine service system of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic.

Mass displacement is a grand public health challenge. Refugees and immigrants experience a disparate hypertension (HTN) burden and disparities in self-management. Successful HTN self-management is key for improving outcomes, but research on its feasibility in refugee and immigrant healthcare settings is limited.