Recent years have seen significant advances in the sensing capabilities of smartphones, enabling them to collect rich contextual information such as location, device usage, and human activity at a given point in time. Combined with widespread user adoption and the ability to gather user data remotely, smartphone-based sensing has become an appealing choice for health research. Numerous studies over the years have demonstrated the promise of using smartphone-based sensing to monitor a range of health conditions, particularly mental health conditions. However, as research is progressing to develop the predictive capabilities of smartphones, it becomes even more crucial to fully understand the capabilities and limitations of using this technology, given its potential impact on human health. To this end, this paper presents a narrative review of smartphone-sensing literature from the past 5 years, to highlight the opportunities and challenges of this approach in healthcare. It provides an overview of the type of health conditions studied, the types of data collected, tools used, and the challenges encountered in using smartphones for healthcare studies, which aims to serve as a guide for researchers wishing to embark on similar research in the future. Our findings highlight the predominance of mental health studies, discuss the opportunities of using standardized sensing approaches and machine-learning advancements, and present the trends of smartphone sensing in healthcare over the years.

Background: Speech and language therapy involves the identification, assessment, and treatment of children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing. Globally, pressing needs outstrip the availability of qualified practitioners who, of necessity, focus on individuals with advanced needs. The potential of voice-assisted technology (VAT) to assist people with speech impairments is an emerging area of research but empirical work exploring its professional adoption is limited. Objective: This study aims to explore the professional experiences of speech and language therapists (SaLTs) using VAT with their clients to identify the potential applications and barriers to VAT adoption and thereby inform future directions of research. Methods: A 23-question survey was distributed to the SaLTs from the United Kingdom using a web-based platform, eliciting both checkbox and free-text responses, to questions on perceptions and any use experiences of VAT. Data were analyzed descriptively with content analysis of free text, providing context to their specific experiences of using VAT in practice, including barriers and opportunities for future use. Results: A total of 230 UK-based professionals fully completed the survey; most were technologically competent and were aware of commercial VATs (such as Alexa and Google Assistant). However, only 49 (21.3%) SaLTs had used VAT with their clients and described 57 use cases. They reported using VAT with 10 different client groups, such as people with dysarthria and users of augmentative and alternative communication technologies. Of these, almost half (28/57, 49%) used the technology to assist their clients with day-to-day tasks, such as web browsing, setting up reminders, sending messages, and playing music. Many respondents (21/57, 37%) also reported using the technology to improve client speech, to facilitate speech practice at home, and to enhance articulation and volume. Most reported a positive impact of VAT use, stating improved independence (22/57, 39%), accessibility (6/57, 10%), and confidence (5/57, 8%). Some respondents reported increased client communication (5/57, 9%) and sociability (3/57, 5%). Reasons given for not using VAT in practice included lack of opportunity (131/181, 72.4%) and training (63/181, 34.8%). Most respondents (154/181, 85.1%) indicated that they would like to try VAT in the future, stating that it could have a positive impact on their clients’ speech, independence, and confidence. Conclusions: VAT is used by some UK-based SaLTs to enable communication tasks at home with their clients. However, its wider adoption may be limited by a lack of professional opportunity. Looking forward, additional benefits are promised, as the data show a level of engagement, empowerment, and the possibility of achieving therapeutic outcomes in communication impairment. The disparate responses suggest that this area is ripe for the development of evidence-based clinical practice, starting with a clear definition, outcome measurement, and professional standardization.

In low-and middle-income countries like India, people with severe mental illness (PSMI) rely on their families as a primary source of care, given the lack of support from healthcare systems. The demanding nature of caregiving places significant physical and mental demands on caregivers, who are the primary source of support to PSMI. We explore how caregivers in under-resourced settings can be better supported through everyday digital technologies. We conducted interviews with caregivers (from urban and rural India), as well as workshops with professionals from Indian NGOs that work directly with PSMIs. We found that technology has the potential to (1) provide carer-centred support that empowers carers who experience stigma and issues with existing support networks; (2) provide support for carers to overcome barriers and progress in the recovery of the PSMI. We conclude with design considerations, proposing how an online peer community can leverage carers’ expertise to actualise support provision.

In today’s age of data-driven healthcare, the growing utilization of health data to inform critical aspects of patient care and medical research places an ever increasing significance on its governance. This study aims to explore the perspectives of individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease regarding their needs and preferences in relation to data governance. We first conducted a survey (n=52) to explore the types of data people with Parkinson’s generate through their self-care practices, and then conducted 3 workshops with 9 participants to understand their perspectives on the governance of this type of data. Through this work, we highlight the factors that motivate them to collect self-care data, and present their requirements for its governance, which could inform the design of future infrastructure to support these needs. We also showcase how speculative approaches can be used to engage communities in discussions around data collection and governance.

The development of early career researchers (ECRs) and their induction into academia has traditionally been a process that is at best obscure, and at worst, cronyism laden. Arguably this is especially true for cross-disciplinary fields like HCI, where relatively fragmented specialisms co-exist. With COVID-19 and its negative impacts on ECRs as the backdrop, we explored the design of a 5-month virtual training program for ECRs worldwide (with particular emphasis on the Global South). Through an action research approach, the program was executed in collaboration with the organizers of a cross-disciplinary conference. Eighty-one participants from 26 countries took part. The program created a collaborative learning experience for attendees and provided opportunities for networking and learning the nuances of the peer-review process. This article details our experiences and provides reflections on design opportunities to (1) develop professional development spaces for underserved researchers, and (2) leverage ECRs’ unique capacity for contributing to inclusive conference spaces.

Background: International students, especially Chinese-speaking students, who grew up with collectivist values and the linguistic and cultural characteristics face a higher risk of mental health issues due to the challenges of geographical, linguistic, and cultural transitions when studying abroad. While digital technology has shown promise in supporting mental health, few studies have focused on designing tools specifically for Chinese-speaking international students and the challenges they face. Objective: This study aimed to design and develop a self-directed digital mental health support tool that provides culturally safe and appropriate support for international students. Methods: A co-design approach was used across 2 study phases, Phase 1 (interviews) and Phase 2 (co-design workshops), to explore the design implications of the digital tool. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted to extract design insights and considerations. Results: Findings show that participants faced a wide range of challenges arising from cross-cultural, academic, and daily life demands, which further contributed to increased levels of stress and negative feelings. These findings highlight a need to improve mental health awareness, literacy, and help-seeking intentions in this vulnerable group. These insights informed the design that emphasized the integration of culturally adapted resources with self-directed learning tools. Conclusions: Based on the findings, a personalized, self-directed, and culturally adapted design has been proposed that creates a bridging pathway linking students’ immediate challenges with mental health education and support. This design offers a clear set of implications for enhancing international students’ mental health awareness, literacy, and help-seeking behaviors, thereby providing essential support for this population.