Study protocol published: Engagement and retention in digital health interventions research
We are happy to announce the publication of a new study protocol in JMIR Research Protocols. The protocol outlines a systematic literature review that will investigate how the design of digital health platforms influences study participants’ engagement and retention in clinical research.
Background
Digital health interventions have become common in clinical research, offering new ways to deliver treatments and support patients. However, ensuring that research participants are engaged in digital health studies and complete them, remains a challenge. Poor engagement and retention can affect the quality of research and its applicability in real-world settings.
Systematic literature review
The study protocol describes a mixed methods systematic literature review that will examine the relationship between digital health platform design and participant engagement and retention. The review will analyse both qualitative and quantitative studies published between January 2018 and June 2024, focusing on digital health interventions delivered through platforms such as mobile apps, websites, and web-based platforms.
The systematic review will identify key definitions of engagement and retention, and highlight platform design features that promote or hinder these outcomes.
– Our aim is to investigate how digital health platform design can influence participant behaviour in clinical studies, says Luciana Terceiro, the study’s lead author. By identifying important design features that enhance engagement and retention, the review will contribute to enable more effective digital health interventions in clinical research.
Read the study protocol
It is written by Luciana Terceiro, Mudassir Imran Mustafa, Maria Hägglund, and Anna Kharko.