Onboarding participants to mobile health (mHealth) studies in acute cardiovascular care is a complex process that requires thoughtful planning, skilled communication, and technological know-how. Drawing on insights from the INFORM-AF II pilot randomized controlled trial, this Methods Corner paper outlines practical considerations for optimizing onboarding processes when engaging hospitalized adults in digital health research. Onboarding in acute care is uniquely shaped by clinical uncertainty, fluctuating patient capacity, and varying levels of digital health literacy. Researchers must balance ethical, logistical, and technological factors while ensuring recruitment and informed consent remain patient-centred and culturally responsive. Seven key considerations are outlined: (i) adequate and transparent communication; (ii) specific technology considerations required for participation in the intervention; (iii) design and user friendliness of the intervention; (iv) effective recruitment and screening strategies; (v) prioritization of privacy and data security; (vi) securing adequate infrastructure and connectivity; and (vii) providing tailored support for participants with lower digital literacy. These elements are important for reducing participant burden, enhancing engagement, and mitigating attrition. Practical strategies, including the use of flowcharts, teach-back methods, QR-code-facilitated app installation, and personalized bedside assistance, are outlined as essential to onboarding. Given the exponential growth in mHealth interventions in cardiovascular nursing research, transparent reporting of onboarding procedures is needed. The onboarding procedure should be described as a core component of complex, nurse-delivered mHealth interventions. The guidance presented offers practical advice to cardiovascular researchers on strengthening the design, implementation, and reporting of onboarding processes in mHealth trials conducted within acute hospital settings.
William et al. (Mon,) studied this question.