Digital technologies and the democratization of clinical research: Social media, wearables, and artificial intelligence

With unprecedented access to the internet and media devices, a cultural shift in healthcare practice and research is already underway. Social media has transformed the way we communicate and has found applications in healthcare research from data sharing to study recruitment. Wearables and personal health monitoring platforms have become increasingly widespread in the past decade allowing for novel studies with remote clinical monitoring and data collection. Furthermore, artificial intelligence has evolved with the advent of machine learning to exponentially improve prediction algorithms and become a powerful tool for clinical decision making and research. These technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to advance clinical research, while empowering patients to be active participants. As these digital tools evolve, our understanding of their advantages and pitfalls will help us optimize their use while ensuring ethical practices and most importantly, patient safety.