JMIR Formative Research

Canada’s legalization of recreational cannabis use (CU) has further highlighted the need for innovative interventions that promote lower-risk CU. Young adults aged 18-25 years represent the age group with the highest prevalence of CU. Protective behavioral strategies (PBSs) have been shown to help manage CU and reduce its negative consequences. To date, only a few interventions have focused on PBSs. To address this gap, a mobile app prototype using PBSs to influence CU was developed with and for young adults.

There is a growing interest in eHealth solutions to enhance access to and use of pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Numerous reviews have explored specific aspects of violence prevention apps, but given the rapid development of new apps, increased violence during COVID-19, and gaps in understanding functionalities and geographical distribution, an updated review is needed.

Rhinitis is the most common sinonasal condition and poses a significant cost burden. Rhinitis symptom control is associated with exposure to environmental triggers (eg, aeroallergens, pollutants, and irritants). While people spend much of their time at home, studies examining the association of rhinitis symptoms with home environmental exposures, especially in low-income, urban, and racial or ethnic minorities, are limited. Frequently, 3 types of surveys are used in ecological momentary assessment (EMA): a survey conducted at a predetermined rate, an event-triggered survey, and a follow-up survey to gauge behavioral changes in response to the event.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a series of clinical episodes featuring involuntary urine leakage. Affecting people with their physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, the negative perceptions and negative impact on patients are yet to be revealed from the public aspect. The genuine demand for urinary incontinence and related issues from patients may thus yet be revealed.

Digital phenotyping (DP), the process of using data from digital devices, like smartphones and wearable technology to understand and monitor people's behaviour, health, and daily activities, has shown significant promise in mental health care within high-income countries (HICs). However, its application in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited, particularly among impoverished populations such as slum residents.

Digital phenotyping – the use of digital data to measure and understand behaviour and internal states – shows promise for advancing predictive analytics in mental health, particularly when combined with other data sources. However, linking digital phenotyping data with sources of highly sensitive clinical and/or genetic data remains rare, primarily due to technical, ethical, and procedural challenges. Understanding the feasibility of collecting and linking these data types is a critical first step toward developing novel multimodal datasets.

Since Singapore’s first migration to Epic in 2022, we have been conducting an advanced Epic personalisation course twice a year for healthcare professionals with at least 3 months of experience using Epic. Electronic Medical Records education is an under-recognised pillar in reducing Health Information Technology-related stress and burnout.

Anxiety disorders affect approximately 27% of the global population, posing a major mental health challenge. Limited access to treatment due to resource constraints highlights the need for scalable solutions. Web-based self-help programs provide low-threshold access to evidence-based strategies. When guided by peers, these programs enhance engagement and acceptability by merging autonomy with support. Peer-guided self-help apps offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional care, reaching those who might otherwise remain untreated.

The development of confident and assertive physicians is essential to effective patient care. Although limited, existing literature examining assertiveness in medical students has found that increased assertiveness is associated with decreased stress and anxiety levels. This study aims to contribute to the existing body of literature. An anonymous, online survey study was conducted at a single California allopathic medical program. Survey measures included the General Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) and the Simple Rathus Assertiveness Scale-Short Form. Participants included first and second-year, preclinical medical students (n = 30). Findings showed a strong negative correlation between participant anxiety and assertiveness scores (r(30) = -0.624, p < .001). Faculty and administrators can implement proactive strategies and training to support students' interpersonal and professional development. Future, longitudinal research across multiple sites is needed to better understand the relationship between assertiveness and anxiety in medical students.

Mental health challenges are escalating globally, with increasing numbers of individuals accessing crisis helplines through various modalities. Despite this growing demand, there is limited understanding of how crisis helplines benefit help-seekers over the course of a conversation. Affective computing has the potential to transform this area of research, yet it remains relatively unexplored, partly due to the scarcity of available helpline data.

Smoking and physical inactivity compromise health, especially in combination. Interventions to promote smoking cessation and increased physical activity (PA) often lack impact, especially in the long term. Digital future-self interventions (FSIs), which prompt individuals to imagine who they do and do not want to become (ie, their desired and undesired future selves), show promise in encouraging sustainable changes in both behaviors. However, knowledge of user experiences with digital FSIs is limited. A deeper understanding of these experiences could help optimize FSIs, enhancing their efficacy in supporting smoking cessation and increased PA sustainably.