Digitally engaged physicians about the digital health transition

Abstract

Background Digitalisation affects 90% of healthcare. Digital health, however, does not only refer to technological transformation but also has considerable cultural and social consequences. It fundamentally reshapes the roles of physicians and patients, as well as their relationship. Moreover, from the second half of the 20th century, the growing number of chronic patients and the increase in life expectancy have posed new challenges to the medical workforce. Objectives To explore the digitally engaged physician's knowledge and attitudes towards digital health technologies and the transformation of the doctor-patient relationship. Methods A qualitative interview study analysed with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The study is based on qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 11 digitally engaged physicians from 9 countries. We identified four main themes emerging from e-physicians' responses and experience: 1) the past: intentions and experiences of change, 2) the present: the role of digital health and technology in the medical practice and their everyday challenges, 3) the present: the practical and ideal physician-patient relationship, and 4) the future: skills and competencies needed for working with e-patients and visions about the future of the medical practice. Results The interviewed physicians state that digital health solutions could create a deeper doctorpatient relationship: knowledgeable patients are a huge help in the joint work effort and technology is the main tool for creating a more involved and responsible patient. Medical professionals in the future might rather get a role as a translator between technical data and the patient; as a guide in the jungle of digital health. However, the interviewed physicians also noted that digital transition today is more beneficial to patients than to their doctors.

Willingness to Use Digital Health Tools in Patient Care Among Health Care Professionals and Students at a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia: Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey

“…This factor had been significant ( P <.001) in the bivariate analysis and showed a very similar trend for an effect like attitudes in the multivariable analysis, but lost significance once attitudes were controlled for. For one thing, due to their clinical experience, health care professionals might feel more certain about specific effects of eHealth for patients than for the hospital or work conditions in general [ 25 ]. Additionally, physicians’ and nurses’ professional role identity as patient advocates might make the function of eHealth tools to serve patients’ needs particularly salient.…”

“…Of note, perceived costs/negative consequences did not seem to make a difference. This finding does, however, not imply that perceived costs might be similarly irrelevant when it comes to actual adoption [ 13 , 25 ]. General willingness might mainly require a positive motivation or a clear rationale in favor of change while costs might become more apparent once actual experience is initiated.…”

“…Another reason is that findings often are discrepant [ 8 , 9 , 12 - 14 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 ]. For instance, many studies in the European region found low adoption rates when national strategies for the introduction of electronic medical records were first implemented [ 13 , 15 , 23 ], but some saw improvements over time [ 14 , 24 ], while others did not [ 12 , 25 ].…”

Driving Digital Transformation During a Pandemic: Case Study of Virtual Collaboration in a German Hospital

“…IT-enabled transformation does not always proceed as desired [40], as working practices in hospitals have not greatly changed in the last few decades. Although the technological possibilities have matured and investments continue to rise [64], collaboration is still conducted with common, proven instruments [65].…”

Willingness to Use Digital Health Tools in Patient Care Among Health Care Professionals and Students at a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia: Quantitative Cross-sectional Survey (Preprint)

“…Another reason is that findings often are discrepant [8,9,[12][13][14]18,19,21,22]. For instance, many studies in the European region found low adoption rates when national strategies for the introduction of electronic medical records were first implemented [13,15,23], but some saw improvements over time [14,24], while others did not [12,25].…”