Open Access

Smoking remains a prominent preventable health risk in Germany, creating a need for effective cessation interventions. Digital smoking cessation interventions (DSCIs) present promising support for individuals aiming to quit, yet their utilization and acceptance are not thoroughly understood. This study analyzes usage patterns and acceptance levels of DSCIs among smokers, occasional smokers, and former smokers in Germany, focusing on user behavior, acceptance determinants, and the influence of prescription and reimbursement status. An online questionnaire based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model was administered to participants. Data were collected through recruitment via social media, email lists, counseling groups, and public postings. The responses were analyzed using SPSS. The study included 173 participants (61.85% female, 37.57% male, 0.58% diverse) with an average age of 35.28 years. They reported smoking for an average of 18.21 years and attempting cessation 3.42 times. Among respondents, 41.62% had used DSCIs, predominantly former smokers (54.17%) and women (79.17%), with the “Smoke Free” app being the most utilized intervention. Although 73.05% expressed willingness to (re)use DSCIs, actual usage showed moderate acceptance levels. Significant predictors of acceptance included willingness to pay (p  = 0.013), self-efficacy (p = 0.018), and physician prescription with clinical evidence (p = 0.019). The results highlight a rising demand for digital solutions focused on long-term smoking cessation, particularly among middle-aged women, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of acceptance drivers and model expansions to address healthcare dynamics.

The digital transformation of healthcare education has accelerated significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting traditional, practice-oriented teaching towards digital methodologies. Before the pandemic, digital teaching was minimally adopted and lacked systematic strategies, especially in Germany’s higher education institutions. This study comprised two cross-sectional online surveys among university faculty in public health, nursing, and medicine—conducted in 2020 and 2021—with a total of 238 participants. The surveys explored the use of digital tools, satisfaction with digital teaching, perceived challenges, and expectations for future teaching practices. Digital platforms such as Zoom, Moodle and MS Teams emerged as the most widely used tools, primarily for content delivery rather than interactive or collaborative activities. Faculty reported generally positive experiences and increasing adaptation to digital teaching, though concerns persisted regarding its time demands and limited support for personalized learning and student engagement. Satisfaction with digital teaching grew between the two survey phases, yet remained moderate regarding didactic support and student outcomes. Educational videos and learning management systems were highlighted as favored methodologies. Nonetheless, reservations about reducing attrition rates and supporting disadvantaged learners indicate unresolved challenges. While digital methodologies in healthcare education have gained acceptance, their integration remains shaped by technical considerations rather than didactic innovation. To optimize digital teaching, institutions must provide targeted professional development, define clear frameworks for digital competencies, and implement systematic evaluation processes. The adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, necessitates further investment in faculty training and attention to ethical and legal considerations. Comprehensive pedagogical reforms are essential for the sustainable advancement of digital education in healthcare.

Prussian blue (PB) and its analogs (PBAs) are interesting materials for electrochemical applications due to their tunable redox chemistry and open framework structure. In this study, hexacyanoferrates (HCF) containing iron (FeHCF), cobalt (CoHCF), and nickel (NiHCF) were synthesized via potentiostatic electrodeposition. Cyclic voltammetry revealed distinct redox behaviors. Morphological characterization (SEM, EDX) demonstrated uniform, pyramidal film growth for FeHCF and CoHCF. Otherwise, NiHCF presented a cracked film with cubic clusters on top due to residual stress. Despite this, homogeneous element distribution was found for all samples. Structural characterization (TEM and XRD) confirmed a cubic lattice crystal structure for all films, with systematic lattice contraction from Fe to Co to Ni due to decreasing atomic radius. Raman and XPS data revealed a shift toward Fe2+ dominant oxidation states and modifications in C≡N bonding, with the influence of K+ and water occupancy in the PBAs framework. These findings illustrate how metal substitution and deposition parameters can tune the structural and electrochemical properties of PBA films, presenting a strategic route to design tailored electrodes.