| Age |
Any age group or generation of patients or caregivers. |
The research primarily focused on the elderly patient population. A few papers focused on pediatric concerns. |
[9] Cresci MK, Jarosz PA. Bridging the Digital Divide for urban seniors: community partnership. Geriatr Nurs. 2010;31(6):455–463. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background |
Patients or caregivers who speak a different language or come from a different cultural background than the majority population in a given region or country. |
The primary focus across the research reviewed was on patients and/or caregivers with limited English proficiency. |
[10] Rodriguez JA, Casillas A, Cook BL, Marlin RP. The language of equity in digital health: Prioritizing the needs of limited english proficient communities in the patient portal 2.0. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2021;32(2):211–219. |
| Urban/Rural |
Patients living in an environment whose specific characteristics influence their health. |
The papers primarily focused on patients living in rural environments with limited access to healthcare. Occasionally, health issues related to urban environments were mentioned. |
[11] Cortelyou-Ward K, Atkins DN, Noblin A, Rotarius T, White P, Carey C. Navigating the Digital Divide: Barriers to Telehealth in Rural Areas. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2020;31(4):1546–1556. |
| Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) |
Patients and/or healthcare systems in countries with significant barriers to the delivery of healthcare services, including, but not limited to, digital infrastructure, literacy levels, and economic opportunity. |
The papers covered the experiences of patients, providers, and caregivers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), primarily located in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. The papers also covered organizations implementing digital health initiatives across LMICs. |
[12] Stonbraker S, Haight E, Lopez A, Guijosa L, Davison E, Bushley D, et al. Digital Educational Support Groups Administered through WhatsApp Messenger Improve Health-Related Knowledge and Health Behaviors of New Adolescent Mothers in the Dominican Republic: A Multi-Method Study. Informatics. 2020;7(4). |
| Mental Health |
Patients with mental or behavioral health concerns |
The papers covered patient populations experiencing both mild and severe forms of mental health illness. |
[13] Hoffman L, Wisniewski H, Hays R, Henson P, Vaidyam A, Hendel V, et al. Digital Opportunities for Outcomes in Recovery Services (DOORS): A Pragmatic Hands-On Group Approach Toward Increasing Digital Health and Smartphone Competencies, Autonomy, Relatedness, and Alliance for Those With Serious Mental Illness. J Psychiatr Pract. 2020;26(2):80–88. |
| Persons with Chronic Disease/Low Health |
Persons with a major chronic illness. This category excludes persons with disabilities who are denoted in their own category. |
The research focused on patient populations experiencing cancer, HIV, and stroke. |
[14] Zhu C, Tran PM, Dreyer RP, Goldstein LB, Lichtman JH. Disparities in Internet Use among US Stroke Survivors: Implications for Telerehabilitation during COVID-19 and beyond. Stroke. 2022;29(2):E90-E91. |
| Persons with Disabilities |
Persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. |
The papers covered persons experiencing significant disabilities such as hearing, sight, and mobility impairments. |
[15] Valdez RS, Rogers CC, Claypool H, Trieshmann L, Frye O, Wellbeloved-Stone C, et al. Ensuring full participation of people with disabilities in an era of telehealth. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2021;28(2):389–392. |
| Race/Ethnicity |
Persons experiencing issues defined by their race and/or ethnicity |
The papers covered general race/ethnicity/diversity concerns. Several papers focused on historically marginalized communities such as Black and Hispanic/Latino patients residing in the United States of America. |
[16] Kim HS, Kim HJ, Juon HS. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Patient-Provider Communication and the Role of E-Health Use. J Health Commun. 2021;26(3):194–203. |
| Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) |
Persons with barriers to good health and/or high-quality healthcare services. |
This topic covered any research that spoke to vulnerable populations more broadly covering high-level trends and guidance. |
[17] Shah MK, Gibbs AC, Ali MK, Narayan KMV, Islam N. Overcoming the digital divide in the post-COVID-19 “reset”: Enhancing group virtual visits with community health workers. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(7). |
| Sex/Gender |
Persons experiencing issues defined by their sex and/or gender identity. |
The research covered both women’s and men’s health topics. |
[18] Figueroa CA, Luo T, Aguilera A, Lyles CR. The need for feminist intersectionality in digital health. Lancet Digit Health. 2021;3(8):e526-e533. |
| Sexuality |
Persons experiencing issues defined by their sexual orientation. |
The research primarily focused on patient populations of persons who have sex with same-sex partners. |
[19] Hsiang E, Offer C, Prescott M, Rodriguez A, Behar E, Matheson T, et al. Bridging the Digital Divide Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex With Men to Reduce Substance Use and HIV Risk: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study. JMIR mHealth uHealth. 2020;8(4):e15282. |
| Socioeconomic Status |
Persons experiencing issues affected by their access to social and financial resources. |
This research focused on patients and caregivers living in low-income households. |
[20] Sharma S, Barnett KG, Maypole J, Mishuris RG. Evaluation of mHealth Apps for Diverse, Low-Income Patient Populations: Framework Development and Application Study. JMIR Form Res. 2022;6(2). |
| Veterans |
Former members of the military |
The research focused on activities of the Veterans Association of the United States of America. |
[21] Affairs OoPaI. VA expands Veteran access to telehealth with iPad services: VA; 2020 [updated September 15, 2020. Available from: https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5521. |
