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Access to technology is no longer a luxury -- it’s a key part of getting quality health care. From video visits to online programs, digital tools can make care more convenient and effective. But what happens when someone doesn’t have a smartphone, reliable internet, or feels unsure about using technology? These digital access differences can lead to worse health outcomes, especially in rural communities.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic, including Christi Patten, Ph.D., director of the Rural Health Research Core (RHRC), and Pravesh Sharma, M.D., a collaborator with RHRC and a Mayo Clinic Researcher of the Year 2025 award recipient, have been working to understand and address these challenges. Their studies—IDEA and DEST—show how listening to community voices can create real solutions.
IDEA: Helping Rural Adults Quit Smoking
Rural adults smoke at higher rates than those in cities, yet they often have fewer digital resources to support quitting. To address this, the IDEA study explored different ways to help rural participants engage with an online quit-smoking program.
Some participants received only printed materials about quitting. Others were given the same materials along with a loaner iPad and data plan so they could access the program online. A third group received both the iPad and personalized tech coaching calls to guide them through using the technology.
The results? Those who received coaching were more likely to use the program and made greater progress toward quitting. The takeaway is clear: technology alone isn’t enough—support and trust matter.
DEST: A Simple Tool with Big Impact
Clinicians often don’t know if a patient can use digital tools. Until now, there wasn’t an easy way to ask. That’s where the Digital Equity Screening Tool (DEST) comes in. Developed with input from community members from the Community Advisory Boards in Arizona, Florida and Rochester, DEST helps care teams understand a patient’s experience with technology.
Community feedback shaped how DEST works. For example, community members suggested that the survey be read aloud in person for those who might struggle with reading, language or technology. This simple change makes the tool more accessible and effective.
DEST isn’t just for patient care in a clinic or hospital; it could help researchers design fairer studies and monitor digital access across communities over time.
Why Community Input Matters
Both IDEA and DEST were built with community voices at the table. Advisory groups and community participants helped researchers understand real-world barriers—like lack of broadband, language differences, and comfort with technology—and design solutions that work.
This approach is a model for future health innovations: listen first, design second. By partnering with communities, we can make sure technology closes gaps instead of widening them.
Next Steps
The work doesn’t stop here. Researchers will now evaluate how patients’ self-reported experiences (DEST items) relate to objective measures, such as using natural language processing and AI-generated algorithms that estimate household and neighborhood broadband access. This step will help identify where digital gaps persist and guide targeted solutions.
Get Involved
At Mayo Clinic, better research begins with you. When your voice and lived experience are part of the research process, studies become more powerful, more meaningful, and more connected to real-life needs. Click here to discover opportunities to shape the future of health research.
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