Designing and Evaluating Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs)

Chronic conditions are one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today. Traditional approaches like personal coaching are often effective, but they lack scalability and are rarely financially sustainable. This raises a crucial question: to what extent can digital health technologies (DHTs) provide scalable, cost-effective, and personalised care?

In this module of the CAS ETH HSG UZH in Digital Health: Therapeutics, participants explore how to develop evidence-based digital health interventions (DHIs) that empower healthcare providers to deliver tailored, long-term treatment at sustainable cost. We focus on Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs)—a powerful approach for personalising care in real time using digital tools.

Drawing from health economics, behavioural medicine, information systems, and computer science, this interdisciplinary module helps participants understand the full lifecycle of JITAIs: from identifying clinical needs to designing, implementing, and evaluating digital interventions that adapt to individual patients in context.

After completing this module, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the value and application of JITAIs—particularly in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

2. Design, implement, and evaluate smartphone- and chatbot-based JITAIs

3. Critically assess the opportunities and challenges of deploying JITAIs in real-world settings

The module is delivered in two parts, following a blended learning model that combines live sessions with online study. Core concepts are introduced during live sessions, while video tutorials, exercises, and self-assessment quizzes are available via our online learning platform.

In the second part of the module, participants work in teams to design their own JITAI using MobileCoach—an open-source platform for developing digital biomarkers and digital health interventions. Each team will develop a smartphone- and chatbot-based intervention, present it to their peers, and receive constructive peer feedback. Live coaching sessions are provided throughout to support design, implementation, and evaluation, culminating in a final group presentation.

Find more details on our CAS ETH HSG UZH Digital Health page.