Public Understanding and Expectations of Digital Health Evidence Generation: Focus Group Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The rapid proliferation of health apps has not been matched by a comparable growth in scientific evaluations of their effectiveness, particularly for apps available to the public. This gap has prompted ongoing debate about the types of evidence necessary to validate health apps, especially as the perceived risk level varies from wellness tools to diagnostic aids. The perspectives of the general public, who are direct stakeholders, are notably underrepresented in discussions on digital health evidence generation.

Objective

This study aimed to explore public understanding and expectations regarding the evidence required to demonstrate health apps' effectiveness, including at varying levels of health risk.

Methods

A total of 4 focus group discussions were held

SUBMITTER: Bondaronek P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11769687 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature