Abstract
Embedding digital technologies in healthcare has the potential to streamline and personalize medical care. However, healthcare systems are often fragmented, and therefore achieving a truly integrated digital health program can be challenging. To promote a streamlined, evidence-based approach to implementing digital health solutions in a healthcare system, the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) established the Digital Health Translation and Implementation Program (DHTI) bringing together clinicians, researchers and digital health experts. From the program commencement, frontline clinical innovators have collaborated with DHTI team members to develop and implement digital solutions to address pain-points in the healthcare system. Throughout this program, important lessons have been learnt relating to the development, evaluation and implementation of digital solutions in the healthcare system. This paper explores these lessons and makes recommendations for the successful implementation of digital health solutions in healthcare systems under five main categories: (1) design and usability, (2) stakeholder engagement and uptake, (3) project management and resourcing, (4) process and implementation, and (5) evaluation. Recommendations suggested here are designed to support future healthcare-based digital health programs to maximize the impact digital solutions can have on the healthcare system and patients.
Highlights
Evidence-based digital technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, decreasing access barriers such as long wait-times and remote locations and increasing efficiencies during time-limited consultations [1, 2]
Accepted ethical principles across clinical and health research, including respect for persons, beneficence, justice, and autonomy should be considered from the preparation phase to sustainability phase by all parties
Ethics committees may struggle to stay updated with ethical challenges emerging in the digital health space, so it is incumbent upon the digital health team to proactively find and utilize such resources
Summary
Evidence-based digital technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, decreasing access barriers such as long wait-times and remote locations and increasing efficiencies during time-limited consultations [1, 2]. The practicalities of implementation and sustainability of digital solutions in healthcare remain complex to navigate. To address these challenges, academic medical centers developed various programs [10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. The DHTI program, which commenced in 2017, aims to identify healthcare-related pain-points at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), and explore, develop and validate digital solutions [e.g., both standalone smartphone or web applications or those embedded into the Electronic Medical Records (EMR)] to solve these problems
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