(Toronto, July 23, 2026) JMIR Publications invites submissions to a new theme issue titled "Does It Work, Does It Translate, and Does It Help or Harm?" in its open access journal JMIR Mental Health . The premier, peer-reviewed journal is indexed in PubMed Central and PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Sherpa/Romeo, DOAJ, EBSCO/EBSCO Essentials, SCIE, PsycINFO and CABI.
While clinical trials have validated the underlying capabilities of various digital mental health therapeutics, apps, and AI-driven tools, the field often overlooks the messy realities of real-world deployment, long-term safety, and systemic equity. This theme issue aims to bridge these gaps by establishing a comprehensive research pipeline and lifecycle approach centered on three foundational pillars:
Pillar 1: Clinical Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Optimization (What Works, How, and for Whom?)
Beyond broad clinical outcomes, this pillar focuses on unpacking the “black box” of DMHIs. We seek research that identifies specific “active ingredients,” underlying mechanistic drivers, and the contextual or individual factors that optimize efficacy across diverse populations.
Pillar 2: Implementation, Scaling, and Sustainability (How Does It Translate and Endure?)
Moving beyond pilot success, this pillar uses implementation science to examine the systemic integration of DMHIs into routine care. We welcome research exploring workflow compatibility, equitable access, user engagement, and the long-term economic and operational sustainability of these tools in real-world clinical ecosystems.
Pillar 3: Safety, Ethics, and Lifecycle Accountability (When Does It Harm, When Does it Help, and Who is Responsible?)
Rather than treating safety as a post-trial afterthought, this pillar demands rigorous, transparent investigation into the risks and ethical implications of DMHIs throughout their lifecycle. This encompasses unintended clinical consequences, algorithmic bias, data privacy vulnerabilities, and the development of proactive governance frameworks for continuous post-deployment surveillance.
Read the full announcement on the website.
About JMIR Publications
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research.
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