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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Sarah WilsonORCiD, Dr Clare TolleyORCiD, Dr Ríona McArdle, Dr Nehal HassanORCiD, Bob SlightORCiD, Professor Sarah Slight
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) can increase access to healthcare and improve patient outcomes, but underserved groups often experience barriers accessing these benefits. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of individuals from underserved groups on using DHTs within healthcare and what practical strategies could be implemented to mitigate digital exclusion. Participants described difficulties accessing healthcare when it was only available digitally, specific challenges relating to DHTs, issues accessing technical support, and concerns about DHTs’ ability to support all areas of healthcare. Participants recommended that healthcare providers offer support such as free devices, maintain non-digital access options, and that DHTs are co-designed to be user-friendly. They also called for both increased funding for and better promotion of community-based technical support services, and appropriate user guides. Future research should explore stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility of implementing these recommendations to develop a holistic understanding of how to effectively support digital health equity.
Author(s): Wilson S, Tolley C, McArdle R, Hassan N, Slight R, Slight S
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Nature Digital Public Health
Year: 2026
Volume: 1
Online publication date: 03/07/2026
Acceptance date: 09/05/2026
Date deposited: 08/09/2026
ISSN (electronic): 3091-2784
Publisher: Nature
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44482-026-00022-w
DOI: 10.1038/s44482-026-00022-w
Data Access Statement: The data sets generated and analysed during this study are not publicly available due to a potential breach of participant confidentiality. Anonymized data sets may be available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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