Research Centers Collaborative Network Workshop on Digital Health Approaches to Research in Aging

Abstract

Digital health technologies are ubiquitous in the healthcare landscape. Older adults represent an important user group who may benefit from improved monitoring of physical and cognitive health and in-home access to care, but there remain many barriers to widespread use of digital health technologies in gerontology and geriatric medicine. The NIA Research Centers Collaborative Network (RCCN) convened a workshop wherein geriatricians and gerontological researchers with expertise related to mHealth and digital health applications shared opportunities and challenges in the application of digital health technologies in aging. Discussion broadly centered on two themes: promises and challenges in (1) the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodologies in gerontology and geriatric medicine, and (2) the development of health promotion programs delivered via digital health technologies. Herein we summarize this discussion and outline several promising areas for future research.