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Assessing Digital Health Interventions (Group Project 1)
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:08
Abstract
Chronic diseases require an intervention paradigm that focuses on prevention and lifestyle change. Against this background, the question arises of how digital health interventions (DHIs) can allow medical doctors and other caregivers to scale and tailor long‐term treatments to individuals in need at sustainable costs.
Objective
At the intersection of information systems research, computer science, behavioural medicine, and health economics, this lecture has the objective to help students and upcoming healthcare executives interested in the multi‐disciplinary field of digital health to better understand the design and assessment of DHIs. The lecture is structured in two parts and follows the concept of a hybrid treatment. In the second part of this course, participants work in teams and will use their knowledge from the first part of the lecture to critically assess DHIs, identify unmet needs and propose a DHI alongside a business model. Each team will then present and discuss their findings with their fellow students who will provide peer reviews. After the course, students will be able to... 1. know design and assessment frameworks for DHIs 2. assess DHIs 3. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of DHIs 4. propose a DHI incl. business model that addresses an unmet need of existing DHIs
Content
The second module of the CAS in Digital Health gives participants an in-depth understanding of the design process for Digital Health interventions (DHIs). How can we ensure that DHIs are effective and tailored to specific needs? The module reviews DHI frameworks and looks at the distinct stages of the research-development cycle. The topics are: 1. Overview of design and assessment frameworks 2. Preparation of DHIs 3. Optimization of DHIs 4. Evaluation of DHIs The lecture is structured in two parts and follows the concept of a hybrid treatment consisting of live sessions and complementary online lessons. In the first part, participants will learn and discuss the learning topics. Complementary learning material (e.g., video and audio clips), multiple-choice questions and exercises are provided online. In the second part, participants work in teams and will use their knowledge from the first part of the lecture to critically assess DHIs, identify unmet needs and propose a DHI incl. a business model that addresses the unmet need. Each team will then present and discuss their findings with their fellow students who will provide peer reviews. Additional online coaching sessions are offered to support the teams with the preparation of their presentations.
Resources
Literature
1. Castro, O., Mair, J. L., … Kowatsch, T. (2023). Development of “LvL UP 1.0”: a smartphone-based, conversational agent-delivered holistic lifestyle intervention for the prevention of non-communicable diseases and common mental disorders. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5. 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1039171 2. Collins, L. M. (2018). Optimization of Behavioral, Biobehavioral, and Biomedical Interventions: The Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST). Springer. 10.1007/978-3-319-72206-1 3. Gilbert, S., Harvey, H., Melvin, T. et al. (2023). Large language model AI chatbots require approval as medical devices. Nature Medicine. 10.1038/s41591-023-02412-6 4. Jacobson, N., Kowatsch, T., & Marsch, L. (Eds.). (2023). Digital Therapeutics for Mental Health and Addiction: The State of the Science and Vision for the Future (1st ed.). Elsevier, Academic Press. 10.1016/C2020-0-02801-X. 5. Kowatsch, T., Otto, L., Harperink, S. et al. (2019). A design and evaluation framework for digital health interventions. it – Information Technology, 61(5-6), 253-263. 10.1515/itit-2019-0019 6. Kowatsch, T., & Fleisch, E. (2021). Digital Health Interventions. In O. Gassmann & F. Ferrandina (Eds.), Connected Business: Create Value in a Networked Economy (pp. 71-95). Springer International Publishing. 10.1007/978-3-030-76897-3_4 7. Kowatsch, T., Schachner, T., Harperink, S. et al. (2021). Conversational Agents as Mediating Social Actors in Chronic Disease Management Involving Healthcare Professionals, Patients, and Family Members: Intervention Design and Results from a Multi-site, Single-arm Feasibility Study. J Med Internet Res, 23(2). 10.2196/25060 8. Kowatsch, T., Lohse, K.-M., Erb, V. et al. (2021). Hybrid Ubiquitous Coaching With a Novel Combination of Mobile and Holographic Conversational Agents Targeting Adherence to Home Exercises: Four Design and Evaluation Studies. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), 23(2). 10.2196/23612 9. Mishra, V., Künzler, F., Kramer, J.-N., Fleisch, E., Kowatsch, T., & Kotz, D. (2021). Detecting Receptivity for mHealth Interventions in the Natural Environment. Proc. ACM Interact. Mob. Wearable Ubiquitous Technol., 5(2), Article 74. 10.1145/3463492 10. Nahum-Shani, I., Smith, S. N., Spring, B. J. et al. (2018). Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) in Mobile Health: Key Components and Design Principles for Ongoing Health Behavior Support. Ann Behav Med, 52(6), 446-462. 10.1007/s12160-016-9830-8 11. Sim, I. (2019). Mobile Devices and Health. N Engl J Med, 381(10), 956-968. 10.1056/NEJMra1806949 12. Wang, C., Lee, C., & Shin, H. (2023). Digital therapeutics from bench to bedside. npj Digital Medicine, 6(1), 38. 10.1038/s41746-023-00777-z
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- WBZ , NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Assessing Digital Health Interventions (Group Project 1)
1. Design and Assessment of DHIs: [Friday] [13.03.2026] [13:00-17:00] CET (online via Zoom)
2. Optimization of DHIs with micro-randomized trials: [Friday] [27.03.2026] [13:00-17:00] CET (online via Zoom)
3. Implementation Science and Assessing AI Models for DHIs: [Friday] [10.04.2026] [13:00-17:00] CET (online via Zoom)
3. Group Work Kick-Off: [Friday][24.04.2026] [15:00-17:00]CET (online via Zoom)
4. Coaching Sessions for Groups [Fridays] [08.05.2026, 22.05.2026, 05.06.2026] [15:00-17:00] CET (online via Zoom)
5. Group Presentations: [Friday] [19.06.2026] [13:00-17:00] CET (onsite at ETH & online via Zoom)
|
No time listed | 24 h semesterly |