A study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research examined the barriers to expanding localized digital health programs to a larger scale.
The researchers — led by Marilyn R. Lennon, PhD, of Glasgow, U.K.-based University of Strathclyde — investigated the application processes of a national digital health program in the United Kingdom. The study involved interviewing key implementers, conducting focus groups with consumers, surveying health professionals and observing community response over the course of three years.
The researchers determined factors that encouraged the large-scale digital health project included clinical endorsement and public and professional willingness. On the other hand, major factors that hindered implementation included lack of IT infrastructure, uncertainty around information governance and lack of incentives for interoperability, among others.
"Although there is receptiveness to digital health, barriers to mainstreaming remain," the researchers concluded. "These findings will enable researchers, healthcare practitioners and policymakers to understand the current landscape and the actions required in order to prepare the market and accelerate uptake and use of digital health and wellness services in context and at scale."