Table 1

Key considerations to facilitate the participation of underserved populations in digitally enabled clinical research

Underserved groups	Considerations
Age extremes (eg, under 18 and over 75)	Consider age-related needs including access to and technological preferences Requirements for age-appropriate validated outcome assessments Consider alternative modes of delivery—such as ‘bring your own device’ Offer web-based or telephone completion for those without smartphones Consider issues of dexterity Provide training and support
Ethnic minority groups	Use culturally validated assessment tools Consider cultural requirements in development of the research and digitised system
Socioeconomically disadvantaged/unemployed/low income	Consider alternative modes of delivery—bring your own device Offer web-based or telephone completion for those without smartphones
Language barriers	Use validated translations Requirement for translator (including sign language) for interviewer-led completion
Educational disadvantage	Ensure content and training is easy to understand by participants with different educational experience
People living in remote areas	Internet access may prohibit digitised approaches. Consider backup approaches to assessment such as interviewer completion by landline
Disabilities	Consider proxy completion for those with cognitive impairment Use accessible formats to facilitate use by individuals with motor impairments