Paper Number
ECIS2026-1917
Paper Type
CRP
Abstract
The digital transformation of healthcare has expanded access to digital health resources and accessible health information. However, many individuals face barriers to direct technology use due to limited digital skills, health constraints, or age-related factors, prompting reliance on proxy users (third parties who seek, interpret, and manage health information on their behalf). This paper examines proxy health-related technology use through a systematic literature review. We identify eight core challenges, spanning information credibility, caregiving burdens, privacy and autonomy tensions, and restricted access to personal health data. Distinguishing between publicly available online health information and personal health information, we conceptualize a design-relevant problem space that highlights multi stakeholder needs, conflicting goals, and socio-technical complexities. Our work reframes system use in healthcare to include indirect interactions, offering implications for designing digital health solutions that support both proxy and beneficiary users while safeguarding patient rights.
Recommended Citation
Zajac, Kimsey and Pecher, Philipp, "Challenges Of Mediated Digital Health Access: Opening Up The Problem Space For Proxy Use" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 9.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/litrev/litrev/9
Challenges Of Mediated Digital Health Access: Opening Up The Problem Space For Proxy Use
The digital transformation of healthcare has expanded access to digital health resources and accessible health information. However, many individuals face barriers to direct technology use due to limited digital skills, health constraints, or age-related factors, prompting reliance on proxy users (third parties who seek, interpret, and manage health information on their behalf). This paper examines proxy health-related technology use through a systematic literature review. We identify eight core challenges, spanning information credibility, caregiving burdens, privacy and autonomy tensions, and restricted access to personal health data. Distinguishing between publicly available online health information and personal health information, we conceptualize a design-relevant problem space that highlights multi stakeholder needs, conflicting goals, and socio-technical complexities. Our work reframes system use in healthcare to include indirect interactions, offering implications for designing digital health solutions that support both proxy and beneficiary users while safeguarding patient rights.
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