Editorial: Telehealth and remote monitoring solutions: advancing accessible and effective healthcare delivery

Telehealth and remote monitoring technologies are rapidly reshaping healthcare delivery by enabling more continuous, accessible, and patient-centered care beyond traditional clinical settings. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), mobile health applications, and connected sensing systems have expanded capabilities for remote diagnosis, monitoring, and care coordination. At the same time, translating these innovations into practice requires careful consideration of usability, accessibility, and integration within existing healthcare infrastructures.

This Research Topic brings together a diverse set of contributions that reflect key directions in telehealth, including AI-enabled diagnostic tools, mobile and app-based interventions, system-level optimization of virtual care workflows, and studies of adoption across varied populations. Collectively, these works highlight the critical role of clinical engineering in bridging technological innovation with real-world healthcare delivery, while also emphasizing the importance of human-centered design and equitable implementation. In total, ten papers were reviewed and published for this Research Topic collection.

Bio-sampling alternative diagnostic imaging for telemedicine: a feasibility study of an AI-based throat camera for influenza

Nageishi and Kano investigate the evolution of next-generation telemedicine through Biosampling Alternative Diagnostic Imaging (BADI), using an AI-based throat camera for influenza as a primary case study. The authors propose an evaluative framework to assess the transition from traditional in-clinic biological sampling to remote, AI-driven imaging diagnostics. The study identifies availability, diagnostic accuracy, usability, and medical integration as four essential conditions for successful remote implementation, highlighting the potential for these technologies to reduce patient testing burdens and expand the scope of remote care.

Monitoring cognition in multiple sclerosis via adaptive smartphone games—first insights from a validation study

Pless et al. present a smartphone-based system for monitoring cognitive function in individuals with multiple sclerosis using adaptive game-based tasks. By capturing repeated, ecologically valid interactions, the platform enables longitudinal assessment of subtle cognitive changes outside the clinic. The adaptive design supports individualized tracking, highlighting the potential of mobile tools for scalable, continuous neurological monitoring.

Feasibility and efficacy of mobile app implementation among patients with acute myocardial infarction enrolled in coordinated cardiac rehabilitation program

Harpula et al. evaluate the impact of a dedicated mobile application (AHP-KOS) on patient adherence and clinical workflow within a coordinated cardiac rehabilitation program. Through an observational study of patients following acute myocardial infarction, the authors found that app integration significantly improved program adherence (91.7% vs. 67.4%) and reduced the duration of onsite visits. The work underscores the utility of mobile health tools in optimizing institutional workflows and enhancing patient engagement, particularly in specialized recovery contexts.

Narrative review on embracing advances in technology for clinical teaching and learning in audiology: opportunities delivered by COVID-19 to the South African academy

Khoza-Shangase provide a narrative review of technology-enhanced clinical education in audiology, focusing on virtual simulation, tele-supervision, and remote learning approaches accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors highlight improvements in accessibility and continuity of training, while also noting challenges related to engagement, assessment, and infrastructure. The work underscores the growing role of digital platforms in preparing clinicians for telehealth-integrated practice.

Optimizing patient check-in process for telehealth visits: a data-driven perspective

This opinion paper identifies telehealth check-in as an overlooked factor in virtual care quality. Khashu outlines barriers such as incomplete forms, unclear instructions, poor communication, duplicate data entry, and digital literacy gaps. He proposes data-driven solutions, including AI reminders, patient portals, predictive analytics, chatbots, and real-time updates to improve efficiency. These strategies may reduce no-shows, enhance patient satisfaction, optimize staffing, and improve data accuracy. The paper emphasizes that streamlined check-in processes are essential for scalable, patient-centered telehealth services.

A determination of patient preferences for China online outpatient follow-up clinics by using discrete choice experiment: an exploratory study

Chen et al. explore patient preferences and willingness to pay for online follow-up services within China’s growing Internet hospital framework. Utilizing a discrete choice experiment, the study reveals that patients prioritize shorter waiting times, payment via medical insurance, and continuity of care with their original diagnosing physician. The results emphasize that while patients favor high-quality care from tertiary hospitals and video consultations, their primary drivers for adoption are speed and cost-reduction, providing critical insights for telehealth policymaking and sustainable operations.

Identifying neurophysiological correlates of stress

Pei et al. developed a multimodal stress detection system using EEG and peripheral physiological signals. Eleven participants underwent validated social and mental stress protocols. Machine learning models classified stress type and severity using short recordings, achieving 98.1% accuracy for stress type and 97.8% for stress level with 4-s signals. The study highlights the potential of AI-driven physiological monitoring for accurate, real-time stress assessment and early mental health intervention.

Wireless sensor network-based health monitoring and smart home assistance for the older adults in sports and wellness towns

Yang et al. proposed a wireless sensor network (WSN)-based system to support healthy ageing in China’s sports and wellness towns. The platform combines health monitoring with smart home assistance for older adults by collecting daily activity and physiological data for behavior analysis and preliminary health assessment. A hybrid Sub-G and Wi-Fi network was optimized for efficient data transmission. The study highlights how integrated digital technologies can improve safety, independence, and quality of life for older adults while supporting rural revitalization and age-friendly community development.

The willingness to use internet-based home care services and its influencing factors among rural older people in Henan Province, China: a cross-sectional study

Yan et al. examine factors influencing the adoption of internet-based home care services among rural older adults. Using a cross-sectional design, the study identifies perceived usefulness, awareness, and accessibility as key drivers of adoption, while digital literacy and infrastructure limitations remain barriers. These findings emphasize the importance of user-centered design and targeted support to expand telehealth access in underserved populations.

Enhancing telehealth services development in Pakistani healthcare sectors through examining various medical service quality characteristics

Saifullah et al. examine the service quality dimensions that drive the adoption and sustainable growth of telehealth in Pakistan. Using a cross-sectional descriptive design and structural equation modeling, the study identifies medical service quality, affordability, information quality, waiting time, and safety as significant predictors of doctors’ intentions to use telehealth. The findings demonstrate that actual utilization of these services has a substantial positive impact on sustainable development, suggesting that a well-structured telehealth model can revolutionize healthcare infrastructure and accessibility in developing nations.

Taken together, the contributions in this Research Topic illustrate the breadth of innovation across telehealth and remote monitoring, spanning AI-enabled diagnostics, mobile health interventions, telehealth workflow optimization, smart home monitoring systems, and population-level adoption studies. Importantly, these works demonstrate that technological advancement alone is insufficient; successful implementation depends on usability, accessibility, and alignment with the needs of both patients and providers.

Looking forward, continued progress in telehealth will require integrating engineering innovation with rigorous clinical validation, human-centered design, and equitable deployment strategies. Particular attention should be given to bridging gaps in digital literacy and infrastructure, ensuring that emerging technologies do not exacerbate existing healthcare disparities. By advancing both technological capability and implementation strategy, telehealth has the potential to significantly improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes across diverse populations.