Relationship between the use of smart medical services and mental health status

Abstract

In this editorial, I comment on the article by Zhang et al. To emphasize the importance of the topic, I discuss the relationship between the use of smart medical devices and mental health. Smart medical services have the potential to positively influence mental health by providing monitoring, insights, and interventions. However, they also come with challenges that need to be addressed. Understanding the primary purpose for which individuals use these smart technologies is essential to tailoring them to specific mental health needs and preferences.

Key Words: Smart devices; Medical service; Usage; People; Relationship; Mental health status

Core Tip: Understanding how psychological characteristics affect the use of smart medical services can provide insights into their impact on health outcomes. Additionally, identifying psychological barriers and factors that facilitate technology adoption can guide the design of interventions to improve engagement with smart medical services.

INTRODUCTION

The use of smart medical services encompasses various digital health technologies aimed at improving healthcare delivery, enhancing patient engagement, and facilitating efficient health management[1,2]. The benefits of intelligent medical use extend to both individuals and healthcare professionals. For example, it provides individuals with easier access to healthcare services, enabling them to consult healthcare professionals without traveling to a clinic. This convenience reduces travel expenses, saves time, and potentially lowers healthcare expenses[1]. Smart medical services also help bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly benefiting individuals in remote areas or those with mobility challenges[3,4].

Milani et al[5] stated in their study that the use of smart medical devices encourages individuals to take an active role in managing their health by providing tools for tracking and monitoring. This facilitates early detection of health changes, which is particularly vital for patients with chronic conditions[5]. However, the researchers also identified a common challenge associated with new, evolving, and sometimes complex technologies: the fear associated with advanced or complex devices[6]. This fear can create a significant emotional barrier, discouraging individuals from adopting and using these systems or devices.

The connection between mental health and the usage of smart medical services is an emerging research area that highlights how technology can influence mental well-being[7]. Key points to consider include: (1) Monitoring and feedback: Smart medical devices, such as wearables, can monitor physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate and sleep patterns) that are often linked to mental health[8]. Continuous feedback can help individuals become more aware of their mental state and identify triggers for anxiety or depression; (2) Data-driven insights: These devices collect data over time, enabling personalized insights. For instance, a wearable device might indicate that poor sleep correlates with increased anxiety, prompting users to take action[9]; (3) Telehealth integration: Many smart services integrate with telehealth platforms, enabling users to share data with healthcare providers. This integration facilitates timely interventions and enables providers to adjust treatment plans based on real-time data[10,11]; (4) Behavioral interventions: Some smart services offer features that promote mental well-being, such as guided meditation, breathing exercises, or reminders to engage in physical activity, which can positively influence mental health[12]; and (5) Accessibility and engagement: Smart medical services can make mental health resources more accessible, especially for individuals reluctant to seek traditional therapy[13]. They can encourage engagement through gamification and user-friendly interfaces.

Evidence from the literature suggests that the user-friendly nature of smart devices can enhance their adoption, leading to increased usage of these devices and improved mental health management.

DETAILED EVALUATION

The relationship between the degree of smart medical service use and mental health status can be analyzed through several dimensions. Individuals with more severe mental health symptoms may utilize smart medical services more frequently[13]. For example, those experiencing heightened anxiety or depression may turn to teletherapy, mental health apps, or monitoring devices to manage their symptoms and seek support. Furthermore, higher engagement with smart medical services often correlates with better mental health outcomes[5]. A strong therapeutic alliance through these services can enhance treatment effectiveness, leading to better mental health outcomes. Studies consistently suggest that increased use of smart medical services is often associated with improved mental health outcomes, particularly when users actively engage with the tools and resources provided[14,15]. Users who actively participate in features such as mood tracking, guided exercises, or community forums experience improvements in their mental health status driven by increased self-awareness and support. The degree to which users engage with community features within smart medical services can also affect mental health. However, some individuals use smart medical services proactively, even when their mental health is stable, as a preventive measure[8]. This proactive approach can help maintain mental well-being and prevent symptom escalation. Some studies disagree with the interpretation that individuals with mental health issues are more likely to use smart medical devices or systems. Those with more severe mental health issues may face barriers to using smart medical services, such as lack of motivation, technology-related anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness[6]. These barriers might limit their engagement with available resources, potentially worsening their mental health status.

Key psychological traits influencing the adaptation and utilization of smart medical services

The correlation between mental health-related traits and the use of smart medical services among young and middle-aged adults is multifaceted. Key psychological features influencing adoption and utilization include:

Tech-savviness: Higher levels of comfort and familiarity with technology often correlate with greater use of smart medical services[2].

Openness to experience: Individuals with high levels of openness are more willing to try new things, including innovative health solutions[16].

Health anxiety: Among middle-aged adults, heightened health anxiety can drive the use of smart medical services to monitor health and seek reassurance about their well-being[17].

Conscientiousness: Higher conscientiousness is often associated with better engagement in health-promoting behaviors, including the use of smart medical devices[18].

Self-efficacy: Individuals, both young adults and middle-aged, who believe in their ability to manage their health may be more inclined to use smart medical services, as they feel empowered to take control of their health[17].

Social support orientation: Individuals valuing social connections may prefer traditional medical services with in-person interactions, while more independent individuals might lean toward digital healthcare solutions[17]. In addition, users who engage with peer support groups or forums related to the usage of smart medical devices can experience a sense of belonging and encouragement, which can positively influence their mental health status[19].

Motivation and health literacy: Higher motivation and better health literacy can lead to increased use of smart medical services, as individuals are more informed about their options and motivated to seek out beneficial resources[20].

Smart medical services can provide comprehensive health outcomes and additional functions to help patients manage their health status more effectively. As evidenced by the literature, the use of smart medical devices has varying effects on mental health[6,17,18]. The existing literature supports the findings by Zhang et al[21], which suggest that individuals with psychological disorders such as fear, anxiety, and depression often have negative attitudes toward using smart medical devices, while individuals with high awareness and acceptance of these technologies, as well as those with positive attitudes, are more open to using them.

Zhang et al[21] published a significant paper titled “Correlation between psychological traits and the use of smart medical services in young and middle-aged adults: An observational study”. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of smart medical services and the mental health status of young and middle-aged individuals. Data from 200 young and middle-aged patients who visited the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu between January 2022 and January 2023 were collected using the "General Condition Questionnaire", "Eysenck Personality Questionnaire", "Symptom Checklist-90", "General Health Questionnaire", and "Smart Medical Service Use Intention Questionnaire". The results showed that the mental health status of the participants was poor. The authors also noted that young and middle-aged groups are also prone to anxiety, emotional instability, and physical discomfort due to long working hours, family issues, high work pressure, and uncertainty about career development. Furthermore, the study found that psychological traits such as depression, anxiety, fear, insomnia, and somatization were negatively correlated with the use of smart medical services, while the degree of awareness and acceptance of smart medical devices were positively correlated with extroverted behaviors. Zhang et al[21] observed that optimistic characteristics may increase individuals’ willingness to try smart technologies.

Some findings of the current study align with those of previous studies[6,15,22,23]. However, contrasting evidence suggests that individuals with high levels of anxiety are more proactive in using smart medical services[13,17]. This discrepancy may be attributable to variations in participants’ anxiety levels. For some individuals, the ability to rely on smart medical services may feel more reliable because it allows them to have direct control over the process. Furthermore, high anxiety levels may drive a stronger desire for control, leading to a preference for self-operated services.

Most studies on the use of smart medical technology have focused on chronic disease management, telehealth, monitoring, data security and privacy, clinical outcomes, mental health applications, and service utilization rates, differing from the focus of the present research[24,25]. The present study specifically aimed to explore the utilization of smart medical services and the mental health status of young and middle-aged individuals[21]. These results underscore the originality of the study and indicate that smart medical services can improve quality of life, mental health, and overall well-being. Additionally, the utilization of these intelligent services is closely linked to individuals’ psychological characteristics.

CONCLUSION

In summary, smart medical services have the potential to positively influence mental health by providing monitoring, insights, and interventions. However, they also pose challenges that must be addressed. The relationship between the degree of smart medical service use and mental health status is characterized by a complex interplay of factors, including symptom severity, user engagement, access barriers, and the overall user experience. Increased and meaningful engagement with these services can improve mental health management and outcomes, while barriers and negative experiences may limit their effectiveness. Understanding these dynamics can help tailor smart medical services to meet the needs of different age groups, ultimately contributing to better mental healthcare outcomes. Each individual’s medical needs, knowledge, and competence in using smart medical devices are influenced by demographic characteristics. Future studies should investigate how smart medical services or devices affect mental health across various age groups to guide the development of more effective and accessible interventions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the authors of the original study for providing a comprehensive analysis of the use of smart medical services and their relationship with mental health status.