Digital health tools as conditional information scaffolds: Patient portals, wearables, communication, and trust in healthcare systems
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study uses the Extended Mind Thesis and Distributed Cognition as sensitizing frameworks for understanding digital health tools as conditional information scaffolds rather than as directly observable cognitive extensions. Analyzing nationally representative HINTS 2025 data (N = 7,278), we distinguish two confirmatory hypotheses from a set of exploratory research questions. Final-person-weighted least squares models show that patient portal use is negatively associated with patient-centered communication (PCC) and positively associated with institutional trust. Wearable use demonstrates no direct effects on either outcome. Moderation results indicate that digital literacy and health data sharing condition some associations, suggesting possible sociotechnical coordination around digital health information rather than evidence of continuous somatic extension or full cognitive extension.
Source: Health & New Media Research
Authors: Chang Sup Park, Subrata Roy
Institution: University of Oklahoma
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7166698810
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