JMIR Formative Research

Serious games are increasingly used in professional health education and maternal health promotion. However, most pregnancy-related digital interventions target specific behaviors and do not provide a comprehensive, longitudinal simulation of the pregnancy journey that incorporates psychosocial and administrative aspects.

mWorks is a co-designed, web-based self-management intervention developed to empower persons with common mental disorders who are on sick leave during the return-to-work process. However, limited knowledge of how mWorks is delivered and engaged with in real-world settings constrains further development and implementation. In line with the Medical Research Council framework for complex intervention evaluation, such an approach is required to examine (1) contextual factors influencing implementation, (2) fidelity and variation in delivery, and (3) how service users and professionals experience and respond to the intervention.

Remote measurement technology (RMT) is increasingly used in health research to collect real-world data relevant to clinical states (eg, sleep, activity, and stress). Concerns exist about the impact of remote tracking via personal devices and wearables on individuals with or at risk of eating disorders (EDs) by promoting a focus on exercise, diet, and appearance. There is a lack of research applying RMT to EDs.

Very low uptake in workplace semen analysis research is difficult to interpret, particularly in employer-adjacent settings, where nonparticipation may reflect limited recruitment reach, limited understanding of the occupational rationale, low perceived relevance, or procedure-related concerns.

Parents increasingly consult the internet, both websites and, more recently, artificial intelligence chatbots, for information on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the comparative quality of these two source types, especially across languages, remains underexplored.

In older adults with chronic constipation, symptoms of defecation difficulty often persist despite improvements in bowel movement frequency. However, constipation-related symptoms have rarely been examined as independent outcomes.

Heart failure is a chronic condition that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and increases health care burden. Effective self-monitoring and lifestyle modification are essential components of heart failure management and can support improved health outcomes. Mobile health technologies, such as smartphone apps, are increasingly used to assist patients with heart failure in self-management. However, evidence regarding patient engagement, user experience, and the effectiveness of these mobile health tools remains limited and continues to evolve.

The current level of insulin knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients self-administering their first insulin injection needs to be improved. There is an emerging need to develop a program for patients self-administering their first insulin injection based on the e-coach model derived from the temporal self-regulation theory.

Understanding how medical students learn is critical for improving teaching strategies in clinical education. Despite the widespread use of learning style frameworks, such as visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic (VARK), evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, and the use of learning style approaches is debated in the literature. In clinical and health sciences education, aligning teaching with learners’ preferences can enhance knowledge retention, procedural competence, and ultimately the quality of patient care.

Sleep disturbances and low physical activity are common among breast cancer (BC) survivors and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Given the increased access to technological devices and the growing popularity of SMS text messaging–based mobile health interventions, these tools have the potential to both address sleep disturbances and promote physical activity in a scalable and cost-effective way. To understand and make effective use of these tools, it is important to consider the preferences of BC survivors with sleep disturbances, including how SMS text messaging–based mobile health interventions could deliver interventions involving physical activity and sleep hygiene.

Optimizing recovery following breast cancer surgery is critical for restoring usual function, minimizing complications, and enabling timely initiation of adjuvant therapies. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols are internationally endorsed recommendations and include patient-led behaviors such as early mobilization, early oral intake of fluids and food, postoperative rehabilitation exercises, and multimodal pain management. However, adherence to these behaviors is often suboptimal, and strategies to support patients are limited. Digital health interventions (DHIs) may offer scalable solutions.

Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs pose a significant barrier to participating in cancer clinical trials (CCTs). Financial reimbursement programs (FRPs) that reduce the burden of OOP costs can support participation in CCTs if the information is readily available to participants at the time of enrollment. Prior studies have shown the importance and impact of FRPs, but despite improvements, significant barriers still remain.