Technological Innovations in Biobehavioral and Psychosomatic Medicine

Abstract

The role of technological innovations in healthcare has increased over the past years and will continue to improve the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of various physical and mental disorders. In biobehavioral and psychosomatic medicine. the use of technology has also increased both in research and clinical contexts. The articles in the current special issue of Psychosomatic Medicine focus on technological solutions that have been applied to patient-monitoring / assessment (health-related behaviors and vital functioning), and treatment (ehealth and mhealth interventions). While promising and considered acceptable by patients and health care providers, important barriers have also been identified regarding the implementation of these technological advances. Topics covered in this issue cover the following themes: the use of biological and behavioral sensors that are linked to user smartphones; technological innovations in clinical conditions (asthma, alcohol-associated liver disease and chronic pain); the use of virtual humans in clinical settings; digital mental health interventions; and the importance of reducing health disparities in the development and implementation of technological innovation. These topics are critically relevant to the field of biobehavioral and psychosomatic medicine and provide future directions for research and clinical practice.