Publication Digest: A scoping review of outcome selection and accuracy of conclusions in complex digital health interventions for young people (2017-2023): methodological proposals for population health intervention research

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In a recent publication, Collin et al. conducted a scoping review of digital health interventions designed for adolescents and young adults implemented between 2017 and 2023. The authors aimed to understand how outcome selection influences conclusions about intervention success. 

The studies were classified by outcome hierarchy (unique primary, multiple primary, or non-hierarchized) and by type (effectiveness, process, or economic). In total, 100 studies covering 26 interventions reported 251 distinct outcomes, most of which focused on effectiveness.

Notably, 35% of interventions initially considered successful were reclassified by the research team as non-conclusive due to conflicting statistical findings. The authors emphasized the importance of greater transparency and methodological rigor in evaluating complex digital health programs and proposed five recommendations to guide future research.

Access the full-text article here.