8 Introduction GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND OUTLINE OF THE THESIS Smartphones have marked a digital transformative era in our society, fundamentally reshaping the way we live, communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. Notably, one of the most profound transformations was the revolution in communication. These handheld devices have facilitated constant and instantaneous connectivity, making information more accessible, and dismantling geographical barriers on a global scale. Messaging apps and video calls have refined both our personal and professional relationships, while social media provided individuals a platform for self-expression and activism. This has rapidly spread trends influencing culture globally and it has also introduced challenges such as misinformation and algorithm bubbles.1 Furthermore, the rise of mobile applications has transformed various aspects of our lives, from how we shop and bank to how we navigate, and even date. Smartphone users can be productive and engage in learning from virtually anywhere using a variety of productivity apps, educational resources, and collaborative tools. Smartphones enable us to carry our office, entertainment, and social networks in our pockets, blurring the borders between work and leisure in a shift towards a mobile-centric society. This transformation has, in turn, altered societal norms.2 Economically, smartphones have driven explosive growth in e-commerce and significantly influencing consumer behaviour. Digital literacy has emerged as a fundamental skill in the rapidly evolving smartphone era, characterized by the continual advancement of mobile applications. Digital Literacy can be referred to the ability to find information, understand and use software, technical problem solving and safe use of digital devices or software (data privacy).3 It empowers individuals to navigate through mobile applications effectively, critically assess information, and engage responsibly with mobile technology. Digitalizing of healthcare The digital transformation of healthcare is catching up with societal advancement. Regulatory frameworks designed safeguarding patient privacy and the quality of care, inadvertently pose significant challenges to novel technologies.4 While many healthcare providers will advocate for implementations of new technologies, there will also be those who consider it as a disruption to current clinical practices and workflow, or may have a preference for traditional methods.5 However, the landscape of health and medical applications has witnessed rapid growth over the past decade. In times of limited resources, healthcare is actively exploring the strategic utilization of digital solutions such as mobile applications. Fitness and wellness applications promote healthy living, while medical apps are considered to be used for medical or clinical purposes.6 Medical applications may facilitate not only patients but also
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw