A systematic review funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) has been published in The Lancet Primary Care, providing new evidence on the factors that support the successful implementation of digital health interventions in primary care.
The publication is an output from SPCR Project 699, led by Dr Jamie Ross at Queen Mary University of London. The review synthesised evidence from 204 studies across 23 high-income countries to identify what helps, and hinders, the adoption of digital health technologies in routine primary care.
Key findings
The review found that successful implementation depends on more than introducing new technology. Digital health interventions are more likely to be adopted when they are easy to use, supported by interoperable IT systems, backed by sustainable funding, and integrated into existing clinical workflows. In contrast, implementation is more challenging when digital tools increase workload, systems are fragmented, or organisations lack sufficient resources.
The findings provide practical recommendations for policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals and technology developers to help ensure digital innovations can be successfully embedded into everyday primary care.
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Publication: Implementation of digital health interventions in primary care in high-income countries: a systematic review
SPCR Project 699: Factors influencing the implementation of digital health within primary care settings: a systematic review