Preferences towards digital health technologies: a scoping review

Background Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) are expanding rapidly, offering new opportunities to support care delivery. Their adoption, however, depends on how well they match patients' needs and expectations. Accurately assessing patient preferences is challenging due to diverse user profiles and varying methods used to measure preferences. A synthesis of current evidence is needed to clarify what patients value in DHTs. Objectives This study synthesizes evidence on patient preferences for DHTs—including eHealth, telehealth, telemedicine, and mHealth—and examines the methods used to elicit these preferences, highlighting opportunities to improve adoption and design. Methods We conducted a scoping review of literature published from 2000 to 2026 following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. Data were charted and narratively synthesized, with study characteristics categorized by methodology (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) and preference elicitation techniques. Results Of 2,419 records identified, 115 underwent full-text screening and 85 met all inclusion criteria: 27 qualitative studies (31.76%), 45 quantitative studies (52.95%), and 13 mixed-methods studies (15.29%). Quantitative studies primarily applied attribute-based methods (e.g., Discrete Choice Experiments, Conjoint Analysis, Best-Worst Scaling), and six studies used the Contingent Valuation method to estimate total willingness-to-pay for DHTs. Qualitative studies employed thematic analysis, deductive, inductive, and immersion–crystallization approaches. Across studies, patients consistently emphasized cost, privacy, convenience, and personalization of DHTs as key concerns. Only a few studies estimated the relative importance of the attributes or the marginal willingness to pay for the device's features. Considerable heterogeneity in preferences was observed by DHT type, patients' health condition and age. Conclusions Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches provide complementary insights into how patients perceive and value DHTs. Patients consistently seek personalized, easy-to-use, secure, and affordable solutions, which is particularly important for older adults managing chronic conditions. Given the diversity of patient preferences, it is essential to consider these differences when developing digital health technologies to ensure they effectively support patients and address their needs.