JMIR Publications released three feature News and Perspectives articles on current issues and developments in digital health care.
OpenEvidence and UpToDate Challenge Comparison Study
In " Generalist Versus Specialist: What Is the Best AI Model for Health Care? ", JMIR Correspondent Simon Spichak investigates the controversy surrounding recent research comparing the clinical performance of specialized medical LLMs with generalist frontier models. NYU Langone researchers found that frontier models outperformed the OpenEvidence and UpToDate models in answering benchmark questions, prompting critique from both companies on the study authors' alleged undisclosed conflicts of interest and methodological issues. Beyond the question of the study's validity, however, Spichak raises the issue of whether using AI tools for clinical decision support makes a positive difference. "Despite studies showing how well these products work on benchmarks," he writes, "there is a lack of data linking them to real-world clinical outcomes."
Please cite as:
Spichak S. Generalist Versus Specialist: What Is the Best AI Model for Health Care?
J Med Internet Res 2026;28:e108066
URL: https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e108066
DOI: 10.2196/108066
China's Crackdown on Online Misinformation
Misinformation regulation has entered a new chapter, says consumer tech consultant and analyst Tim Bajarin in his op-ed " China Has Moved to Regulate Expertise Online—and the West Should Pay Attention ". China's regulations now require platforms to verify users claiming expertise in certain professional areas by providing proof of their credentials, or otherwise risk fines and restrictions, "treating this kind of online speech as something that can be licensed, audited, and penalized." Though Bajarin notes that this degree of state-run moderation of online content conflicts with democratic ideals, he argues that the status quo elsewhere in the world has so far failed to address some of the root causes driving online misinformation. "The United States treats misinformation primarily as a content problem," he writes. "China treats it more as a systems problem."
Please cite as:
Bajarin T. China Has Moved to Regulate Expertise Online—and the West Should Pay Attention.
J Med Internet Res 2026;28:e107872
URL: https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e107872
DOI: 10.2196/107872
Drones to Deliver Prescription Medications in Underserviced Areas
For many residents of areas with few pharmacies, picking up prescriptions can be costly, difficult, and time-consuming—but this may soon change. JMIR Correspondent Jenna Congdon reports on recent and upcoming drone prescription delivery initiatives in " Drones in the (Pharmacy) Desert: Can Prescription Delivery via Drone Improve Health Care Access? ". She speaks with Bri Brown Robinson on the Cleveland Clinic's drone-based pharmacy delivery program, discussing the complexities of aviation regulations, patient privacy, environmental variables, and more. "From a clinical workflow perspective," writes Congdon, "integrating drone delivery into existing pharmacy systems requires robust solutions for prescription verification, chain of custody management, and patient-to-clinician communication." Despite these logistical challenges, drone delivery has the potential to improve health care access for individuals in remote or underserviced locations.
Please cite as:
Congdon J. Drones in the (Pharmacy) Desert: Can Prescription Delivery via Drone Improve Health Care Access?
J Med Internet Res 2026;28:e108067
URL: https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e108067
DOI: 10.2196/108067
About JMIR Publications News and Perspectives
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research. The News and Perspectives section is the newest addition to its portfolio, established to bring the rigor and integrity of academic publishing to scientific journalism. The section features well-researched, expert-driven content from the Scientific News Editor, Kayleigh-Ann Clegg, PhD, and a network of specialist JMIR Publications Correspondents to keep the digital health community informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.
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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