The Growing Role of Digital Health and Pharmacist Guidance

With growing patient trust in digital health tools and their integration into treatment decisions, clinicians are facing new challenges. As accessible health care providers, pharmacists have an opportunity to provide patients with the necessary context to understand and translate their digital health tools, advising them on when to seek clinical intervention.

Digital health has become an integral part of daily life, with apps that track our steps, sleep, medications, and more. Further, the technology has been seamlessly integrated into routines, utilizing pharmacy apps for refills and patient portals to view laboratory test results and message providers. Today, it’s nearly second nature to Google symptoms rather than wait for a clinical appointment.

Although these advancements offer undeniable convenience, they present significant challenges. As highlighted in research on generational differences in health care, digital health tools must be designed with the end user in mind.¹ Clinicians face a digital health literacy gap, particularly among older generations, that requires education. Although having health data at our fingertips is valuable, it does not always provide a complete clinical picture. The challenge for patients and their health care providers lies in connecting these data puzzle pieces to reach a meaningful diagnosis.

Pharmacists must also consider the shifting landscape of trust. Results of studies show that 64% of patients would trust an artificial intelligence (AI)–driven diagnosis over a human physician’s, largely due to the desire for immediate answers compared with traditional, time-consuming office visits.² This trend poses a critical question for the health care industry: Will these tools garner more patient trust than clinicians?

Pharmacists must bridge this gap by fostering trust and educating patients on distinguishing between manageable self-care and situations that require professional clinical intervention. Data suggest that the community pharmacy is increasingly becoming the go-to health hub. According to data from the Wolters Kluwer Pharmacy Next survey, 58% of Americans are likely to seek nonemergency care at their local pharmacy, with particularly high rates among Millennials and Gen Z.³ This accessibility is transforming the traditional pharmacist’s role from dispensing prescriptions to being an essential clinical provider. In rural and underserved areas, this transition to offering point-of-care testing and having access to collaborative practice agreements is vital to ensuring equitable access to care.³

As the public embraces digital health, pharmacists’ goal must be to ensure that the data patients acquire from AI platforms are used safely and effectively. Patients may find it empowering to take charge of their own health, but equally important is recognizing the limitations of a screen. Pharmacists must guide patients to understand when to leverage technology and when to seek the expertise of a real-life practitioner. Ultimately, the future of health care depends on this balance.

About the Author

Thayra Rios Schad, PharmD, is an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy in Columbia, South Carolina.

REFERENCES

1. Cecconi C, Adams R, Cardone A, et al. Generational differences in healthcare: the role of technology in the path forward. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1546317. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1546317

2. Thimbleby H. Technology and the future of healthcare. J Public Health Res. 2013;2(3):e28. doi:10.4081/jphr.2013.e28

3. Community-centric care: the pharmacist’s role in bridging healthcare gaps. Wolters Kluwer. April 15, 2025. Accessed July 9, 2026. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/community-centric-care-the-pharmacists-role-bridging-healthcare-gaps