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In England, digital technologies are revolutionizing health and social care, covering a range of hardware and software used across healthcare. This study aims to identify digital technologies used by National Health Service clinical commissioning groups (NHS CCGs) in England, revealing variations in digital capability across regions and addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare provision.
The health care services in England are undergoing a significant transformation driven by the increasing demand for digital strategies, adoption of new technologies, and tailored approaches to digitization based on regional requirements. These digital technologies, ranging from hardware devices to software solutions, are being used to revolutionize various aspects of health and social care, including medical consultations, patient management, and information dissemination for better access to care. Researchers classify these technologies into three types: those for product innovation, process innovation, and organizational innovation.
However, healthcare practitioners and managers often face challenges in selecting and leveraging digital technologies to overcome inefficiencies. Additionally, there’s little understanding of how technology capabilities differ among healthcare providers and how this relates to regional differences in healthcare access and resources across the UK.
This study focuses on identifying digital technologies adopted by 106 National Health Service Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England using annual reports from 2020-2021. These CCGs were responsible for planning and commissioning health care services in their local areas before being replaced by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in 2022. The choice of CCG reports provides detailed insights into regional differences in digital capabilities and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
The study aims to answer two main research questions: the types of digital technologies adopted by CCGs to improve services and enhance public access, and how these technologies vary across regions. Digital options theory is used to understand the types of technologies and how they impact healthcare providers’ ability to improve performance. The theory categorizes technologies into three constructs: identifying patient requirements, developing new work patterns, and realizing improvements in efficiency and public accessibility.
The paper contributes to healthcare literature by providing insights into regional differences in technology adoption and capabilities within the NHS in England. It maps out the landscape of digital transformation by unpacking the role of CCGs and presenting regional disparities. The study extends digital options theory to the healthcare context, demonstrating the challenges faced by healthcare providers in adopting digital technologies to address patient needs while being constrained by regional resources and capabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare services in the UK, leading to a rapid uptake of digital technologies. This study examined digital technology adoption by the NHS nationally and regional differences in 2020 and 2021. Nine digital technology themes were identified, focusing on patient requirements, improved work patterns, and efficiency/accessibility enhancements. These included information portals, telehealth, and online triage.
The study revealed significant regional disparities in digital technology adoption, with some areas being digitally engaged, others disengaged, and some acting as digital torchbearers. London showed low uptake, possibly due to high internet usage but also limited access to digital devices and private spaces. Digital health citizenship, extending beyond operational efficiency, reshapes patient engagement and social interactions, highlighting equality and inclusion issues.
COVID-19 accelerated digital healthcare adoption, especially in telehealth for remote patient monitoring. While most reports were positive, concerns were raised about digital exclusion, particularly for underprivileged and medically underserved communities. Issues such as broadband connectivity and socioeconomic disparities must be addressed to ensure equitable benefits.
The study emphasizes that the absence of mention of digital technology in a CCG report doesn’t mean it’s not being used. For example, the eConsult online triage is used in GP practices under Kent and Medway CCG, even though it’s not mentioned in their report. This suggests that the lack of mention doesn’t imply non-adoption at all levels.
This research examines the current digital technology trends used by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in the UK during the pandemic for delivering healthcare services. Identified themes, such as enhancing communication, digitizing services, and expanding public healthcare access, provide a roadmap for future healthcare providers seeking digital solutions. The study reveals a digital divide among CCGs, particularly across regions, indicating the need to support less digitally engaged CCGs. Careful consideration is required to understand the reasons behind slow adoption and to provide tailored solutions. Future research could delve into the factors contributing to regional disparities in digital adoption, aiding policymakers and healthcare professionals in addressing these gaps and enhancing access to healthcare resources. However, the study has limitations, mainly relying on CCG reports, which might vary in length and detail, potentially leading to misrepresentation. Moreover, the research primarily focuses on technology adoption rather than its impact on patient satisfaction or outcomes. Future studies could explore these impacts through interviews or surveys with patients and healthcare professionals.
Source:
Allcock J, Zhuang M, Li S, Zhao X
Landscape of Digital Technologies Used in the National Health Service in England: Content Analysis
JMIR Form Res 2024;8:e51859
URL: https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e51859
DOI: 10.2196/51859