For patients with heart failure, self-care is crucial, but recommendations for self-care are often not adhered to. Digital health interventions have the potential to help patients improve their self-care and, ultimately, their health outcomes, but without careful examination, digital interventions may generate further inequality. In this study, we use a digital health equity framework to examine challenges and opportunities related to digital health interventions across many domains of influence that may affect health equity. We draw from our own experience in conducting a decentralized clinical trial with multiple sensors and apps to help patients with heart failure improve adherence to key self-care behaviors. Finally, we provide recommendations for leveraging digital health interventions in research and practice to address health equity.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- public health
- mental health
- heart failure
- clinical trial
- health information
- physical activity
- health promotion
- primary care
- randomized controlled trial
- human health
- type diabetes
- end stage renal disease
- chronic kidney disease
- adipose tissue
- newly diagnosed
- skeletal muscle
- peritoneal dialysis
- quality improvement
- climate change
- double blind
- patient reported outcomes
- phase ii