JMIR Formative Research

Explainer videos are widely used in higher education. With the increasing availability of artificial intelligence (AI)–generated avatars, it remains unclear whether the presentation format—human presenter vs AI avatar—affects learning outcomes and user experience, especially in technologically complex fields.

An estimated 5 to 8 million US children live with a parent who uses cannabis, and most cannabis users report smoking cannabis inside their homes, placing children at risk for cannabis secondhand smoke (cSHS) exposure. Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring provides real-time feedback on airborne pollutants and has shown promise in reducing in-home tobacco secondhand smoke exposure, suggesting its potential as an effective harm reduction strategy for cSHS.

Virtual reality (VR) systems are increasingly used in rehabilitation to facilitate motor learning by providing visual feedback. However, few studies have validated the motion tracking accuracy of VR devices compared with gold-standard motion capture systems. In particular, validation evidence for upper-limb reaching with commercially available VR tracking setups remains limited.

The mortality rate from liver disease among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increased by 20% between 2001 and 2018. There are marked racial and ethnic differences among people with T2DM at risk of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and related complications.

Emergency trauma care in the “golden hour” can reduce the fatality rates by 20%-50%. Imparting trauma care training in the undergraduate Indian medical graduate curriculum can prepare graduates as first responders for both prehospital and hospital setup management. However, teaching these skills for managing acute traumas in a competency-based medical education curriculum is challenging. These skills can be taught on a standardized patient (SP), allowing the learner to achieve higher clinical competency and better communication skills. However, since SP availability is limited, a video demonstration (VD) of such skills is an easy and reliable teaching-learning method.

Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to enhance telemental health care (TMH) by enabling accessible, engaging, and personalized treatment from home. Although VR is well-supported for in-person treatment, evidence for telehealth-based VR is limited. Moreover, no prior research has demonstrated the feasibility of therapists and clients conducting therapy sessions remotely within a shared (ie, multiuser) VR experience.

University students experience elevated psychological distress, with limited access to mental health services. While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrates efficacy for anxiety and depression, treatment gaps persist due to access barriers and insufficient between-session support. Large language model (LLM) chatbots could improve and scale CBT delivery. However, the scientific evaluation of chatbot-enhanced protocols is just emerging.

Adolescent anxiety is a growing public health concern associated with significant social and emotional impairment. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown promise in reducing anxiety and improving well-being; however, engagement remains challenging. Virtual reality (VR)–based delivery may enhance immersion and attention, potentially addressing barriers of traditional mindfulness formats. Evidence on VR-based mindfulness interventions for adolescents, particularly in Hong Kong, remains limited.

Delirium superimposed on dementia is associated with poor outcomes yet remains underdetected in home settings. Current detection relies on face-to-face clinical assessment (eg, the Confusion Assessment Method criteria), which is rarely applied outside hospitals.

Fluid assessment in geriatric inpatients is challenging, as clinical signs are often unreliable. Inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound provides a rapid, noninvasive estimation of intravascular volume. Teleguided point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) allows examiners without prior ultrasound experience to perform scans under real-time supervision.

Clinical dashboards are becoming important tools for managing and monitoring hospitalized patients across different wards. Moreover, careful attention to design, usability, and user interaction is essential for developing effective support tools for clinicians.

Stress among health care workers (HCWs) contributes to burnout, workforce attrition, and adverse patient outcomes. Although virtual reality (VR), psychoeducation, ecological momentary assessments (EMAs), and wearables have independently shown promise in stress research, no integrated digital suite has combined controlled stress induction, intervention delivery, and longitudinal real-world monitoring in HCWs.