Abstract
Individuals in vulnerable circumstances often face challenges in accessing and utilizing digital health tools. They are also underrepresented in digital health research. OPEN ACCESS Consequently, digital health tools may not be aligned with their specific needs and Citation: Oldhoff-Nuijsink C, Fransen MP, requirements, potentially intensifying health disparities. A research panel especially Suurmond J, Peute LWP, Derksen ME (2026) Engaging individuals in digital health involving individuals in a vulnerable position could increase their representation in research panels: A qualitative study including digital health research. This study examined motivation, facilitators and barriers, and participants in vulnerable positions. PLOS Digit prerequisites for initial participation and sustained involvement in a panel for digital Health 5(5): e0001443. journal.pdig.0001443 health research. We conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with mainly individu- Editor: Hadi Ghasemi, Shahid Beheshti als in vulnerable positions. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, coded and University of Medical Sciences School of thematically analysed. The results indicated that most participants were motivated for Dentistry, IRAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF engagement in a research panel on digital health. They aspired to contribute to the Received: November 11, 2025 accessibility and usability of digital health, thereby benefiting not only themselves but Accepted: May 4, 2026 also their peers. Additional motivations were to stay informed and to learn from devel- Published: May 22, 2026 opments in the field. Participants perceived recruitment efforts in community cen- Copyright: © 2026 Oldhoff-Nuijsink et al. This tres or the distribution of inclusively designed flyers as the most effective methods. is an open access article distributed under the Clear communication and timely feedback of results emerged as the most significant terms of the Creative Commons Attribution factors in sustaining long-term enthusiasm for panel participation. As the study was License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, conducted in the Dutch context, cultural and contextual factors may limit the generalprovided the original author and source are isability of the results to other settings. Nonetheless, by fostering intrinsic motivation, credited. tailoring recruitment approaches, and addressing practical barriers, research panels Data availability statement: The authors can facilitate meaningful participation and contribute to the equitable development of confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article or digital health interventions. its supplementary materials. Additional data PLOS Digital Health | May 22, 2026 1 / 19 supporting the findings of this study, including de-identified codebooks, theme frameworks, Author summary are available fro