From Traditional to Digital: Examining the Transformation of Sociocultural Barriers and Facilitators in Healthcare Technology Adoption

As digital health technologies (DHTs) reshape healthcare delivery, it remains unclear how they transform access barriers and facilitators, particularly for historically marginalized populations. This convergent mixed-methods study examined how diverse caregivers experience traditional versus digital healthcare. Thematic analysis of interviews and correlational analyses of health and digital literacy revealed how key access factors evolve with digital adoption. Financial constraints persisted across both contexts but shifted in form, while digital settings introduced new challenges, including relational disconnect, technology access gaps, and data privacy concerns. Facilitators also differed; traditional care emphasized interpersonal and cultural supports, whereas DHTs enabled flexibility and personalization. Social identity shaped these experiences, with identity-linked barriers more frequently referenced in traditional care. This suggests disparities may become less visible, but not less present, in digital environments, highlighting the need for continued vigilance. Findings support inclusive, equity-centered design strategies to ensure digital innovations promote, rather than obscure, equitable healthcare access.