Adherence

Digital health interventions are significantly more effective when they integrate behavioral theory, design thinking (user-centered design), and rigorous evaluation (RCTs) into a single iterative framework (IDEAS) rather than relying on any single approach in isolation.

If you are building a digital health tool, do not rely on tech features alone. Start by understanding your users' deep needs (empathize). Then, select specific, evidence-based behavior change techniques (like goal setting or feedback) to address those needs. Build rough prototypes early and test them with real users repeatedly before writing final code. Finally, test the finished product with a rigorous study (like an RCT) and share the results openly.