Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40663773›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2025

Examining the Influence of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors on Disparities in Health Care App Usage: Protocol for a Systematic Scoping Review.

Fahad Aljuaid, Emily Reed, Sara Imanpour, Daniel J Mallinson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR research protocols, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Fahad AljuaidPenn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States.ORCID 0009-0002-3236-9745
Emily ReedPenn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0001-8731-7980
Sara ImanpourPenn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0001-8638-3265
Daniel J MallinsonPenn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-8094-6685

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe rapid proliferation of health care apps has transformed health care delivery, providing patients with unprecedented access to medical information and services. These apps facilitate remote consultations, appointment scheduling, medication reminders, and health monitoring, thereby enhancing patient engagement and improving health outcomes. Despite the widespread benefits, disparities in the adoption and usage of health care apps persist, influenced by demographic and socioeconomic factors. Understanding these disparities is crucial for designing interventions that promote equitable access to digital health tools.

objectiveThis systematic review aims to identify and synthesize empirical studies on health care app usage disparities, focusing on demographic and socioeconomic factors. This review seeks to inform stakeholders about the key factors influencing app usage and provide insights to improve accessibility and effectiveness. Specifically, this review addresses the following research questions: (1) what are the key demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with health care app usage disparities? (2) how do these factors influence the adoption and utilization of health care apps? and (3) what are the barriers to and facilitators of effective use of health care apps?

methodsThis review will adhere to PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) guidelines. Eight databases-ACM Digital Library, CINAHL, IEEE Xplore, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Journals, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science-were searched for studies published in English between January 1, 2014, and June 17, 2024. Eligibility criteria include journal papers focusing on health care app usage across different demographic and socioeconomic groups. Data management will involve using Zotero for reference management and Excel for screening and eligibility assessment. Two reviewers will independently extract the data and assess the study quality and risk of bias. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize the study characteristics.

resultsAs of June 2025, the review is in the screening stage. The completion of data collection is anticipated by November 2025. The final results are expected to be published by late 2025. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the disparities in health care app usage.

conclusionsThe findings of this systematic review will offer valuable insights into demographic and socioeconomic disparities in health care app usage, informing stakeholders on how to address these disparities. By identifying the factors influencing app adoption and usage, this review will contribute to the development of targeted interventions and policies to enhance digital health equity. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63596.

Indexed as

Healthcare DisparitiesMobile ApplicationsDelivery of Health CareHumansResearch DesignScoping Reviews as TopicSocioeconomic FactorsTelemedicineaccess to primary careapp usagedemographicdigital healthdisparitieseffectivenesseHealthhealth care apphealth monitoringhealth outcomeshealth service accessibilitymedical informationmHealthmobile health applications, technology acceptanceprotocolsocioeconomic factorsystematic reviewtelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID40663773
PMCPMC12308163

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.