Digital Transformation Of Health Research Articles

Organizational Factors Driving the Realization of Digital Health Transformation Benefits from Health Service Managers: A Qualitative Study.

Healthcare is experiencing a global period of profound transformation, and digital health shows the promise of dispensing innovative and contemporary service models. However, changes are required to improve the capabilities of health managers in driving successful digital transformation. This paper aims to explore the organizational barriers that health service managers have encountered when realizing the benefits of a digitally transforming environment. This is part of a larger research study exploring digital competencies for health service managers, with the findings from focus group discussions providing a baseline from which to address the organizational improvements and changes in system capabilities required to assist in realizing the benefits of digital health transformation. The study is qualitative in nature. It employs focus group discussions to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences and views of health service managers and identify the benefits and barriers that managers have experienced in introducing digital health in their workplace. Barriers encountered in realizing digital health benefits in the workplace were evidenced across five major themes: (1) change resistance and usage, (2) trust and uniformity, (3) resourcing and procurement, (4) digital literacy, and (5) siloed systems. Findings from this study demonstrate that in driving the realization of digital health transformation benefits, health service managers need organizational and system-wide efforts to support managing in the digital health context. The key identified barriers experienced by health service managers include facing human and technical challenges with system adoption and the governance of data-driven decision-making in the digital context. The importance of digital transformation in healthcare is evident and will increasingly become a necessity for organizational survival and success. This study adds important insights into the organizational barriers that health service managers have encountered when realizing the benefits resulting from digital transformation. Addressing these barriers requires macro-, meso- and micro-level system investments. These benefits are enhanced by enabling factors critical for digital health adoption that have been described in key categories involving health system related: (1) policy and system, (2) organizational structure and processes, and human resource management, and (3) people factors. The importance of ensuring the organizational factors driving the realization of benefits in a digitally transforming environment is also addressed and capitalized upon for health service managers.

Transforming the Future of Digital Health Education: Redesign of a Graduate Program Using Competency Mapping.

Digital transformation has disrupted many industries but is yet to revolutionize health care. Educational programs must be aligned with the reality that goes beyond developing individuals in their own professions, professionals wishing to make an impact in digital health will need a multidisciplinary understanding of how business models, organizational processes, stakeholder relationships, and workforce dynamics across the health care ecosystem may be disrupted by digital health technology. This paper describes the redesign of an existing postgraduate program, ensuring that core digital health content is relevant, pedagogically sound, and evidence-based, and that the program provides learning and practical application of concepts of the digital transformation of health. Existing subjects were mapped to the American Medical Informatics Association Clinical Informatics Core Competencies, followed by consultation with leadership to further identify gaps or opportunities to revise the course structure. New additions of core and elective subjects were proposed to align with the competencies. Suitable electives were chosen based on stakeholder feedback and a review of subjects in fields relevant to digital transformation of health. The program was revised with a new title, course overview, course intended learning outcomes, reorganizing of core subjects, and approval of new electives, adding to a suite of professional development offerings and forming a structured pathway to further qualification. Programs in digital health must move beyond purely informatics-based competencies toward enabling transformational change. Postgraduate program development in this field is possible within a short time frame with the use of established competency frameworks and expert and student consultation.

Enhancing digital health competencies: insights from european human resources for health

Abstract Background Mixed-skills for digital health transformation are critical for human resources for health (HRH). This study aimed to inform the design of new training programmes that address soft, hard and digital health skills. Methods Using a mixed-methods design science approach, focus groups were conducted by invitation and with informed consent, online or in-person. A script was prepared with key questions for orientation and facilitation, addressing the topics of current situation, desired situation, desired skills, practical and organisational needs to implement continuous training in healthcare. The collected data were analysed using Nvivo. Results Focus groups (14) had 87 participants (Norway, Latvia, Belgium, Italy and Portugal): 26 healthcare professionals (nurses, midwives, nutritionists, pharmacists, assistants and doctors); 27 managers or directors of hospitals and care centres; 34 experts (digital health specialists, researchers, technical officers, members of professional societies and national authorities). Real needs were identified, with 2 direct sub-themes that were best related to each other (Pearson coefficient, p > 0.40 - cluster analysis): 1. ‘Current situation’: Cybersecurity (eg. privacy, law and ethics); Time (work time versus private time, p = 0.69); Type (informal versus formal training, p = 0.32); Programmes (graduation, continuing education and post-graduation levels). 2. ‘Desired situation: Desired skills (eg. digital - basic ICT, data analysis, soft - communication, emotional intelligence, and hard skills - medication administration, catheters, ECG, vital signs, telehealth - digital stethoscope); Learning design and objectives (eg. collective learning, simulations, location - peer-to-peer and hybrid); Emergency care and the link between primary and secondary levels of care were considered important. Conclusions These findings of convergence among HRH inform Program design process to support the training programs and course syllabus design. Key messages • The identified needs and priorities inform Program design further to support Digital Health Transformation training programs and course syllabus design. • Real needs points to Current and Desired situation, where HRH give important insights that need to be considered to engage people to perform training courses.

Digital Health in Croatia: Key stakeholders’ perspective of societal and institutional readiness

Abstract Background According to the literature, digital health brings an innovative approach to healthcare and an inevitable transformation and disruption. The potential of digital technologies is far-reaching, from preventive medicine to addressing public health challenges. However, the implementation also significantly depends on the social & cultural context. Methods To research Croatia’s expectations, challenges, and readiness for implementing digital health, interviews were conducted with physicians, patients, hospital managers, policymakers, jurists, and engineers (n = 75). Following identifying key themes, a survey was conducted among Croatian medical students (n = 775) at the end of 2022. Results Key stakeholders believe implementation preparedness is demonstrated through institutional and societal readiness. Prominent characteristics of societal readiness include appropriate infrastructure and legal and financial frameworks. Societal readiness is assessed through digital and health literacy and existing social practices within Croatian society. Only 4.6% of medical students believe Croatia’s healthcare system is ready to implement digital technologies. They perceive the highest readiness regarding digital education (63.7%) and the digital literacy of physicians (60.9%) while negatively evaluating healthcare infrastructure, financial resources, and patient literacy. The results highlight numerous aspects that must be addressed for successful implementation, many of which have been neglected in previous periods. Conclusions The research identifies critical aspects of the social context and presents valuable implications for the digital health transformation. Key stakeholders assess that institutional and societal readiness is not at the level required for the sustainable implementation of digital health, thus necessitating specific actions, ranging from governmental bodies and international organisations to the health system, education system, and media. Key messages • It’s crucial to align digital health implementation with the social & cultural context and capabilities. • The prerequisites for successful implementation necessitate engagement across various societal domains beyond the healthcare system.

Innovate, Educate, Elevate: Empowering Tomorrow's Health Professionals Through a Contemporary Learning Module in Digital Transformation of Health.

This manuscript describes the conception and development of a novel, innovative digital health and informatics learning module designed specifically for entry-to-practice physiotherapy university programs. The design process involved consultation with stakeholders, alignment with contemporary digital health competency guidelines for health professional education, and educational design workshopping with faculty to ensure relevance and success. Key curriculum components include modules on health system transformation, design-thinking approaches, solution refinement and innovation pitching in the context of digital health. The subject intended learning outcomes (SILOs) were focused on digital health transformation, addressing the need for a curriculum on digital health transformation. This tertiary module aims to equip university graduates with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in a digitally enabled healthcare system by offering this framework for future health professional education in the digital age.

Telemedicine and transformative health access for millennials-Gen Z: PLS-SEM based behavioral exploration

Global health system is rapidly transitioning from conventional models to inclusive digital healthcare due to the pandemic and technological advancements. This transition has led to widespread telemedicine adoption in response to healthcare needs. In Indonesia, the implementation of telemedicine has increased significantly after enacting relevant policies due to limited healthcare accessibility. The younger demographic, namely Millennials and Gen Z plays an important role in adopting this technology, offering significant potential for future development and research. Despite the significance of this technology, existing literature lacks a comprehensive psychological analysis of digital transformation in telemedicine adoption, particularly concerning Millennials-Gen Z. Therefore, this research aimed to construct telemedicine adoption model by integrating psychological aspects of digital transformation and multidimensional planned behavior. A total of 205 Millennials-Gen Z telemedicine users were included in the survey. The results showed that commitment to digital health transformation among these age groups significantly influenced telemedicine adoption. Readiness to engage in transformation influenced behavioral planning, while beliefs, attitudes, social norms, and self-control intricately impacted an inclination and willingness. Furthermore, it was discovered that behavioral intention contributed to enhancing the user experience of telemedicine services. These results offered substantial theoretical and practical implications, guiding providers and policymakers in constructing telemedicine services that catered to public health equity.

Implementing AI in Hospitals to Achieve a Learning Health System: Systematic Review of Current Enablers and Barriers.

Efforts are underway to capitalize on the computational power of the data collected in electronic medical records (EMRs) to achieve a learning health system (LHS). Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has promised to improve clinical outcomes, and many researchers are developing AI algorithms on retrospective data sets. Integrating these algorithms with real-time EMR data is rare. There is a poor understanding of the current enablers and barriers to empower this shift from data set-based use to real-time implementation of AI in health systems. Exploring these factors holds promise for uncovering actionable insights toward the successful integration of AI into clinical workflows. The first objective was to conduct a systematic literature review to identify the evidence of enablers and barriers regarding the real-world implementation of AI in hospital settings. The second objective was to map the identified enablers and barriers to a 3-horizon framework to enable the successful digital health transformation of hospitals to achieve an LHS. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were adhered to. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore were searched for studies published between January 2010 and January 2022. Articles with case studies and guidelines on the implementation of AI analytics in hospital settings using EMR data were included. We excluded studies conducted in primary and community care settings. Quality assessment of the identified papers was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and ADAPTE frameworks. We coded evidence from the included studies that related to enablers of and barriers to AI implementation. The findings were mapped to the 3-horizon framework to provide a road map for hospitals to integrate AI analytics. Of the 1247 studies screened, 26 (2.09%) met the inclusion criteria. In total, 65% (17/26) of the studies implemented AI analytics for enhancing the care of hospitalized patients, whereas the remaining 35% (9/26) provided implementation guidelines. Of the final 26 papers, the quality of 21 (81%) was assessed as poor. A total of 28 enablers was identified; 8 (29%) were new in this study. A total of 18 barriers was identified; 5 (28%) were newly found. Most of these newly identified factors were related to information and technology. Actionable recommendations for the implementation of AI toward achieving an LHS were provided by mapping the findings to a 3-horizon framework. Significant issues exist in implementing AI in health care. Shifting from validating data sets to working with live data is challenging. This review incorporated the identified enablers and barriers into a 3-horizon framework, offering actionable recommendations for implementing AI analytics to achieve an LHS. The findings of this study can assist hospitals in steering their strategic planning toward successful adoption of AI.

Digital Health Transformation in the Northern Territory as an Enabler for Virtual Cardio-Renal Care for Remote Indigenous Australians

Digital Health Transformation in the Northern Territory as an Enabler for Virtual Cardio-Renal Care for Remote Indigenous Australians

The Information and Communication Technology Maturity Assessment at Primary Health Care Services Across 9 Provinces in Indonesia: Evaluation Study.

Indonesia has rapidly embraced digital health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 15 million daily health application users. To advance its digital health vision, the government is prioritizing the development of health data and application systems into an integrated health care technology ecosystem. This initiative involves all levels of health care, from primary to tertiary, across all provinces. In particular, it aims to enhance primary health care services (as the main interface with the general population) and contribute to Indonesia's digital health transformation. This study assesses the information and communication technology (ICT) maturity in Indonesian health care services to advance digital health initiatives. ICT maturity assessment tools, specifically designed for middle-income countries, were used to evaluate digital health capabilities in 9 provinces across 5 Indonesian islands. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to March 2022, in 9 provinces across Indonesia, representing the country's diverse conditions on its major islands. Respondents included staff from public health centers (Puskesmas), primary care clinics (Klinik Pratama), and district health offices (Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten/Kota). The survey used adapted ICT maturity assessment questionnaires, covering human resources, software and system, hardware, and infrastructure. It was administered electronically and involved 121 public health centers, 49 primary care clinics, and 67 IT staff from district health offices. Focus group discussions were held to delve deeper into the assessment results and gain more descriptive insights. In this study, 237 participants represented 3 distinct categories: 121 public health centers, 67 district health offices, and 49 primary clinics. These instances were selected from a sample of 9 of the 34 provinces in Indonesia. Collected data from interviews and focus group discussions were transformed into scores on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 indicating low ICT readiness and 5 indicating high ICT readiness. On average, the breakdown of ICT maturity scores was as follows: 2.71 for human resources' capability in ICT use and system management, 2.83 for software and information systems, 2.59 for hardware, and 2.84 for infrastructure, resulting in an overall average score of 2.74. According to the ICT maturity level pyramid, the ICT maturity of health care providers in Indonesia fell between the basic and good levels. The need to pursue best practices also emerged strongly. Further analysis of the ICT maturity scores, when examined by province, revealed regional variations. The maturity of ICT use is influenced by several critical components. Enhancing human resources, ensuring infrastructure, the availability of supportive hardware, and optimizing information systems are imperative to attain ICT maturity in health care services. In the context of ICT maturity assessment, significant score variations were observed across health care levels in the 9 provinces, underscoring the diversity in ICT readiness and the need for regionally customized follow-up actions.

Telecare in the Brazilian Unified Health System: where we are and where we are heading.

This article explores telecare from telehealth developments and the recent acceleration of the digital health transformation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). It addresses terminological issues, the scope of actions, the potential use for healthcare, and constraints and contingencies for telecare in Brazil, focusing on teleconsultations and interactions between health professionals and patients. Finally, it presents a set of propositions for the development of telecare policies and practices in Brazil, considering SUS principles, in two central themes: organizational political guidelines and operational propositions to organise services and healthcare delivery. The importance of clarifying the scope and limits of new technologies is highlighted in the attempt to avoid idealizations with proposed solutions to complex health problems. Telecare solutions should be compatible with SUS principles and with the recommended model of care, with the healthcare network coordinated and organised by primary care, ensuring access to health services and integrated and quality healthcare for the Brazilian society.

INTERPLAY OF GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL DYNAMICS AND LOCAL REALITIES: DIGITAL HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION IN TURKEY

Various trends have driven the digital transformation of health: Developments in digital technologies, pressures for cause reduction in healthcare and increasing demand and expenditures from aging populations. In parallel, Turkey is actively engaged in a great transformative journey with its Health Transformation Program (HTP) since 2003, embracing the age of digitalization in healthcare. This study explores the interplay among historical discourse, political influences, technological advancements which shaped the centralization of Turkey's health system. Specifically, it delves into how Turkey's healthcare system has undergone centralization under the aegis of digital transformation. Amidst this transition, a compelling question arises: How has the positive perception of digital health innovations by both the public and authoritative health institutions converged with the challenges posed by low health and digital literacy levels? This article uses the concept of biomedicalization to encompass the multisited and multidirectional health transformation processes in Turkey. By cultivating a technology-friendly environment, the nation is nurturing (bio)digital citizens through the process of biomedicalization. Drawing on a historical narrative of Turkey's digital health transformation, the article posits that the phenomenon of biomedicalization in the country, molded by intricate multidimensional factors at both micro and macro levels, compels policymakers, privacy advocates, and lawmakers to devise effective and sustainable regulations concerning data utilization, protection, and privacy. By investigating these dynamics, the research provides insights into how a country like Turkey navigates the multifaceted aspects of digital health implementation, shedding light on the potential strategies and mechanisms that enable the successful adoption of digital technologies in healthcare despite existing limitations. This contribution to the broader discourse on digital transformation enriches our understanding of the intricacies involved in leveraging technology to enhance healthcare systems, especially in contexts where there are literacy levels might pose.

E-Health & Innovation to Overcome Barriers in Neuromuscular Diseases. Report from the 3rd eNMD Congress: Pisa, Italy, 29-30 October 2021.

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs), in their phenotypic heterogeneity, share quite invariably common issues that involve several clinical and socio-economical aspects, needing a deep critical analysis to develop better management strategies. From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, the development of technological solutions can improve the detection of several critical aspects related to the diseases, addressing both the met and unmet needs of clinicians and patients. Among several aspects of the digital transformation of health and care, this congress expands what has been learned from previous congresses editions on applicability and usefulness of technological solutions in NMDs. In particular the focus on new solutions for remote monitoring provide valuable insights to increase disease-specific knowledge and trigger prompt decision-making. In doing that, several perspectives from different areas of expertise were shared and discussed, pointing out strengths and weaknesses on the current state of the art on topic, suggesting new research lines to advance technology in this specific clinical field.

Digital Transformation of Health: Towards the European Health Data Space

The European space for health data (EHDS) is the first European proposal for the arrangement of a specific area common to the entire EU. The main goals are enabling citizens to control and use their own health data, nationally and throughout the EU (primary use of health data), cross-border exchange of health data and building a single market for digital health services. A further goal is to create an effective legal framework for the use of health data for research and innovation purposes (secondary use of health data), as well as the establishment of electronic health records and the development of a health data management system. In the paper author presents the concept of health data privacy in digital age and analyses the current health data protection legal framework. The paper examines the provisions of the EHDS Proposal, critically analyising the proposed terms of primary and secondary use of health data, as well as it's rules on data portability and interoperability.

Implementation of virtual pulmonary rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences and perceptions of patients and healthcare providers

BackgroundPulmonary rehabilitation (PR) plays an important role in the management of symptomatic patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). While studies have investigated the feasibility and efficacy of virtual PR (VPR), it is important to understand the experiences of patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) during the rapid digital health transformation that occurred in the COVID-19 pandemic. ObjectivesTo explore the experiences and perspectives of patients and HCPs who participated in VPR during the pandemic. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with CRD patients and HCPs. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach and a team-based inductive thematic analysis. ResultsParticipants included 11 HCPs (7 female; 29–55 years) and 19 CRD patients (11 male; 62–83 years; 15 COPD, 4 COPD/ILD). Three major themes and 10 subthemes were identified: i) the pandemic response: a ‘trial by fire’ (navigating uncertainty, emotional impact of change, shifting practice amid complexity); ii) beyond the emergency: navigating a ‘new normal’ (eligibility and assessment for VPR, virtual exercise, virtual education and resources, clinical supervision and patient safety); and iii) care beyond boundaries: the implications of using technology for PR (benefits and limitations of technology, psychosocial implications, VPR in the future). ConclusionThe pivot to VPR was acknowledged as positive by both patients and HCPs although both groups were mindful of the implementation challenges. These findings provide insight into the experience of HCPs and patients in introducing VPR in response to the pandemic and will inform future implementation of VPR for individuals with CRD.

Health Transformation in Indonesia Through Health Digitalization Strengthening: A Perspective From Occupational Health.

Digital health implementation is crucial to make the greatest benefit to a country's citizens, including its workers. This article describes the implementation of digital health in both general health and occupational health. An internet search regarding the implementation of digital health, telemedicine, and telehealth in Indonesia was performed during July - August 2023. Publications released from the Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as from various sources regarding digital health and telemedicine, were used in the writing of this article. Digital health transformation in Indonesia has been set as national goal since 2021 and some challenges still present as potential setbacks of nationwide digital health implementation.

Pemanfaatan Resume Medis Sebagai Portofolio Kesehatan Keluarga

Indonesia has entered to the digital health transformation era. One of the transformation is the obligation of health care facilities to organize medical record in electronic form. Peduli Lindungi application, which was originally only for Covid-19 tests and vaccines has now expanded is function as a Health Portfolio or Personal Health Record (PHR) in the Satu Sehat application. The Health Portfolio can be compiled based on the Medical Resume obatained from Health services. The use of medical resume for preparing health portfolio has not been widelu used because many people do not understand the function of medical resume. The aim of this activity is to explain the importance of a complete medical resume so that it can be used as material for preparing a family health portfolio. The method is the online seminar method. The result is a medical resume containing the identity and history of the patient’s illness after receiving health services. Medical resume can be used to build family health portfolio. The conclusion is that a family health portfolio needs to be prepared to help manage diseases that may arise in the future.

A multi-channel hybrid deep learning framework for multi-sensor fusion enabled human activity recognition

Smart and connected health (SCH) accelerates the development and integration of information science and engineering approaches to support the digital transformation of health and medicine in populated societies. Sensor data based human activity recognition (HAR) as an effective means of SCH is promising for healthcare monitoring and ambient assisted living. This paper focuses on multi-position sensor data fusion enabled HAR, and proposes a multi-channel deep learning framework. The main contributions include: (1) A multi-channel hybrid deep learning model (1DCNN-Att-BiLSTM) that merges a one-dimensional convolutional neural network, a bidirectional long short-term memory model, and an attention mechanism is proposed to significantly improve the recognition performance of HAR models by extracting and selecting local and global behavioral features in the spatial and temporal domains; (2) Publicly accessible datasets Shoaib AR, Shoaib SA, and HAPT are collected and processed to build multi-position sensor data pool for model's evaluation; (3) Thoroughly evaluating the classification performance of seven sensor data fusion patterns from different body positions within the parallel network structure of the multi-channel framework; (4) Comparing the recognition performance metrics of traditional machine learning models, deep learning models, and hybrid models with our proposed model. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our approach achieves competitive performance.

Health Service Managers' Digital Competencies: A Conceptual Framework.

Health service managers play a crucial role in managing and leading in the digital health environment. Development of the health management workforce that is ready to lead and manage digital health transformation requires partnerships across sectors, in not only developing workforce competence but also in developing supportive mechanisms that can translate competencies into practice. A framework presenting a systematic approach in enabling the development of a competent health management workforce in the digital health era has recently been published. The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the application of the framework in the Australian context, informed by the findings of a PhD research project that uses an empirically validated four-step approach to confirm the health service management workforce development needs in the digital health context. The PhD project has already confirmed: 1) the paucity of Australian Health Informatics Competency Framework (AHICF) competencies being included in Australian health service management postgraduate program curricula; 2) five key strategies that contribute to developing health management workforce competency and capacity; and 3) seven key factors that enable health management workforce development in the digital health context. Further understanding of the barriers and enablers for health service managers to develop capability and manage in the digital health environment, and the factors that influence digital health policy and practice will be developed, by critically analysing findings from focus group discussions with health managers and semi-structured interviews with digital health leaders, to be completed by May 2023.

A transformação digital no gerenciamento do fluxo de leitos nos hospitais

Abstract Purpose: This article aims to identify the benefits and difficulties managers perceive regarding implementing digital transformation (DT) in hospital bed management. Originality/value: The article contributes to academia by analyzing a rele-vant topic, DT of health, that is scarcely explored in the multifactorial perspective of its technological, organizational, and social elements. No similar study was identified with application in a large private hospital located in a developing country. By analyzing managerial perceptions about implementing DT applied to hospital bed management, the study allows a better understanding and potential strengthening of this DT process by the professionals involved, which can contribute to expanding access to hospital care. Design/methodology/approach: A single case study was carried out to investigate the implementation of DT for managing hospital beds in a private general hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. We interviewed 19 managers responsible for hospital bed management. The interviews were analyzed using two methods: content analysis and data mining, and they were classified according to their technological, organizational, and social elements (Reis et al., 2018). Findings: DT’s most cited potential benefits were efficiency gains, real-time information, and employee and patient satisfaction. The main dificulties reported were systems integration, data availability in real-time, instituting new processes, and challenges related to organizational culture and the necessary changes. DT can positively impact bed flow management, but it is crucial to consider the technological, organizational, and social elements involved in its success.

The evolution and mapping trends of mobile health (m-Health): a bibliometric analysis (1997-2023).

Mobile health (m-Health) is widely acknowledged as a pivotal domain for improving global healthcare and driving its digital health transformation. Despite the vast amount of literature published in recent years, bibliometric studies on m-Health remain limited in scope and coverage. This study presents a comprehensive review of m-Health literature extracted from Scopus and PubMed databases, spanning the period from 1997 to 2023, including publications during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The combined Scopus and PubMed databases were used in this study. The search formula for the literature retrieval used the most appropriate and relevant keywords to m-Health. The bibliometric data importation, extraction and analysis of authors, titles, publication date, publication place, publisher, volume number, issue number, citation count, document type, author keywords, affiliation were all carried out using the 'Biblioshiny', 'EndNote X9®', 'Microsoft Excel®' and 'Microsoft Access®' software tools. Duplicate records were manually identified and removed. Visualization maps illustrating the recurrent keywords, collaboration patterns, and prolific publishing countries were generated using 'VOSviewer®'. A total of 37,470 (20,703 from Scopus and 16,767 from PubMed) publications were selected for the literature analysis. The results provided the definitive literature evidence on the origin of the concept of m-Health in 2003. Significant increase in the publications followed the global surge of smart phones usage in 2007, and the emergence of m-Health applications (Apps) and their global markets and ecosystems. The number of the publications peaked between 2013 and 2022 with most citations in 2022. There was noticeable spike in m-Health literature during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results also showed that most of the highly cited publications, leading institutions, and most prolific authors were predominantly from the developed countries. The USA has the highest number of publications followed by the UK, Australia, Germany, Canada and China, with most of the prolific authors originating from these countries. In conclusion, while there has been a remarkable increase in global m-Health publications since 2003, most of the impactful literature and publications in this area originated from selected countries in the developed world. The study indicates a significant disparity between the published literature from developed compared to the developing countries. Addressing this disparity, further bibliographical studies are required to address these and other literature gaps.