Digital Health Tools Introduction
- haleywilliams86
- Mar 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 20
Digital Health Tools Today:
Digital health tools, not too long ago, seemed like a futuristic, sci-fi version of healthcare. Nowadays, digital health tools are present in multiple areas of our lives and can make managing, discovering, and treating problems more accessible, easier, and personalized. Although definitions of what is considered a digital health tool vary, it is an umbrella term for resources that combine communications, technology, and healthcare. This includes wearable and at home technology like Apple Watches, at home blood pressure monitors, mobile health apps like food trackers, sleep trackers, and blood sugar monitors, telehealth platforms like ZocDoc and BetterHelp to allow virtual doctors appointments, AI chatbots and data analyzers, electronic health records for patients to easily access their information and providers to send information, and finally messaging technology to allow for easy communication with providers(FDA, 2020). These tools have empowered patients to become involved in their healthcare, manage issues from anywhere, increase accessibility, reduce costs, and focus on personalized, preventative care(Kulkarni, 2024). This industry is rapidly evolving, and it can be hard for users to keep up with the technology and changes. Let's unpack and dive a bit deeper into some of the benefits and concerns of digital health tools.
Accessibility and Personal Involvement in HealthCare:
Across my research, two major advantages of digital health tools are accessibility and how individuals can get involved in their care. Telehealth technologies have allowed for increased access to care for those who have in the past been separated geographically from care, like those in rural areas. This geographic isolation from specialists has led to delays in diagnoses, increased prices in travel to access treatment, and difficulty managing health problems(Maita et al, 2024). Digital health tools like telehealth, at-home monitoring systems, and wearable devices allow patients to track their health concerns like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heart rate, and sleep. This involvement in care can help early diagnosis and allow for the focus to be on preventive care(Tian et al, 2025).
Specifically, chronic illness conditions like diabetes and COPD have offered digital tools to provide reminders for care, monitoring, and personalization that can be directly communicated to providers(Alessa, 2025). For these patients as well, digital communication tools connect them to a web of others struggling with health problems, allowing them to connect with others who understand their experience and can relate to their problems. Despite this, across research, it is clear that patients view these tools as an in-between for care appointments and still rely on in-person contact with providers. These tools work best when used to strengthen care, not replace it.
Concerns on Digital Health:
Despite the amazing opportunities digital health tools offer patients to care for themselves, there are still concerns regarding digital literacy, network accessibility, data privacy, price of health tools, replacement of employees, and the implications of technology being a constant reminder of health problems without consulting those who need it the most.
First, with the major switch to technological tools, there are concerns about certain groups being left out due to digital literacy or language. With the elderly being one of the largest groups who need access to care, the rapid development of care can be confusing and difficult to navigate, which raises concerns with such importance surrounding health going digital(“Digital Health Products: Is Your Information Safe?", 2022). This does not just affect patients, with older healthcare providers varying in level of digital literacy and level of comfort when using or recommending digital health tools(Crilly et al, 2023).
Next, there are concerns about data privacy surrounding digital health topics like wearables and mobile apps collecting information that may or may not be covered under HIPAA regulations. Not only that, FDA approval and regulation can vary depending on the device, leading to an excess and oversaturation of digital health tools with information unclear about the status of regulations, approval, and safety(FDA, 2020).
Despite digital health tools offering accessibility to many, not all tools are created equally, and some groups are still left out. As mentioned, the elderly or those with lower digital literacy could struggle when using these new tools. Although telehealth has offered opportunities for those living in rural areas, there are still concerns about the strength of networks and pricing that would allow for access to these technologies. A large chunk of digital health apps are in English, excluding a global population that does not speak English from participating in forums, groups, or apps for tracking information. Lastly, in specific areas of digital health, like mental health tools, large demographics like youth are often underrepresented in research and design, leading to lower engagement(Kealy et al, 2026). As digital tools continue to evolve, co-creation, inclusivity, digital literacy education, and accessibility need to remain a focus.
Another area of concern is AI tools. AI is susceptible to bias depending on how it is trained, misinformation if not checked by a human, and a lack of monitoring resources if launched without proper regulation. AI tools also bring up concerns about the transparency of the function and how data is protected, as well as cybersecurity risks if these tools were ever faced with malware.
AI Development and Looking Forward to Digital Health
Although there are risks and concerns associated with AI in digital health, it does seem like it will continue to play a large role in digital health tools, as even some scientists believe AI analysis tools will end up in toilets to determine health information from bodily functions(Zajc, 2025). AI for healthcare can analyze large amounts of data, aid in diagnostics, and ingest all patient information to recommend personalized treatment and preventive care (Tian et al., 2025). It could also open a future where data analytics and robotic surgeries are more common. Even with the introduction of positive AI development, it should still be to strengthen human work, not replace it. AI can free up time for humans by analyzing large amounts of data and information to help clients, but should not be a replacement for practitioners. There are also groups like the American Medical Association and the National Council on Aging that are dedicating resources to educating the public, improving digital literacy, and working towards data privacy for AI applications.
Looking Forward
The future of digital health is approaching rapidly as technology builds, more companies and technologies enter the market, and more users become trusting in the technology. The COVID-19 Pandemic shifted the world and introduced new technology to millions, from healthcare tools to Zoom technology to work-from-home assistance. Despite this, there are some things like privacy, regulation, and accessibility and bias of AI tools that still leave progress up in the air. As tools continue to evolve, I hope for a future where these digital health tools can be accessible, equal, and users can be educated about the opportunities, risks, and impacts of the tools. This includes ensuring that apps and devices not approved are clearly identified, maintaining the tools as factual, health-based, and transparent, while also focusing on how these tools can work in conjunction with existing practitioners rather than replace them.
References:
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