Clinical trials rely heavily on the Schedule of Activities (SoAs), the detailed roadmap that dictates what data must be collected and precisely when. Traditionally, this roadmap is presented as a static, tabular chart within the study protocol. However, real-world research is rarely static. Patients miss visits, unexpected events occur, and complex study designs (like in oncology) require multiple treatment cycles and conditional branching.

The foundation of modern, data-driven medicine rests on high-quality empirical evidence, primarily derived from Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs). However, sharing the individual patient data (IPD) from these trials is heavily restricted by regulatory frameworks. For example, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which aims to protect patient privacy. This "privacy paradox" can hinder innovation, preventing researchers from reusing valuable data to develop predictive models or external control arms.

Despite progress, the demographics of those in leadership positions remain far from representative of the demographics of the general population. Indeed, there are cracks in the glass ceilings, but pipelines from junior to senior positions still show a major narrowing trend across medicine, science, and publishing: while women start with near parity in entry-level and training positions, the numbers drastically narrow at executive, full professor, and dean levels.  

As we step into 2026, the team at JMIR Publications is proud to look back and celebrate the impactful work from our authors that has shaped the landscape of digital health research.

JMIR Publications had a productive time at the AMIA 2025 Annual Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia! It was truly inspiring to engage with so many dedicated researchers, authors, and attendees who stopped by our booth, eager to share and discuss their current projects and groundbreaking research topics.

Labor shortages are straining healthcare systems worldwide, severely challenging their ability to sustain high-quality, person-centered care, especially for people with intellectual disabilities. As organizations search for innovative assistants, social robots are moving from concept to reality, showing potential to support both clients and overstretched professional caregivers.

Thank you to every public health professional, student, publisher, and partner who visited JMIR Publications at Booth #1114. The APHA 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo in Washington, DC was a resounding success for the team! The expo hall was buzzing with energy and meaningful conversation.

November 14th marks World Diabetes Day, a critical moment to raise global awareness of a condition affecting hundreds of millions worldwide. This day, commemorating the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin, is a reminder of both historical medical breakthroughs and the urgent need for continuous innovation in prevention, management, and care.

Mental health and well-being are critical not only for individuals, but also for society and the economy. Yet, current support systems often suffer from capacity limitations and fragmented digital tools, highlighting the need for a more integrated approach that facilitates scalable, proactive care. 

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and various cancers, are responsible for a staggering 74% of all global deaths annually. Modifiable behavioral risk factors – like poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking – contribute to many of these diseases. Serious games and gamified applications hold immense potential to help users change their behavior and reduce their risk, but the impact of most existing solutions is limited by interoperability issues. That is, many gamified solutions operate in isolation—they cannot talk to each other or be easily integrated with other patient data in the broader healthcare system.