Digital health engagement is often treated as binary. For example, patients either use tools like portals and telehealth or they do not. However, this study suggests a more nuanced reality. In a retrospective cohort study, researchers applied cluster analysis to identify distinct “digital engagement phenotypes” based on use of messaging, phone, video, and portal functions. They found that engagement patterns varied widely, from highly digital, asynchronous users to those relying primarily on telephone or in-person care.
Identifying Skill and Usability Barriers to Digital Health Tool Use Among Older Adult Patients in US Safety Net Clinics: Mixed Methods Study
Digital health tools such as patient portals and telemedicine are increasingly embedded in care delivery, yet many older adults face challenges using them effectively. In this mixed methods study, researchers assessed fundamental digital skills and observed participants completing common tasks such as joining a video visit, logging into a portal, and signing up for an account.
Screening by Health Care Systems for Barriers to Patient Engagement With Digital Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
Digital health tools such as patient portals, telemedicine, and mobile apps are now central to health care delivery, yet patients’ ability to benefit from these tools depends on their digital readiness. In a national survey of 144 clinicians and informatics leaders conducted in early 2024, fewer than half (44%) reported that their health systems screen patients for digital readiness.
Digital Inclusion Pathways To Health Equity
As health care increasingly shifts online, digital inclusion has become a critical pathway to health equity. This policy brief examines how access to broadband, devices, digital skills, and technical support shapes patients’ ability to engage in virtual care, use patient portals, and manage health through digital tools such as telehealth, mobile apps, and remote monitoring.