Recommendations to advance digital health equity: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Recommendations to advance digital health equity: a systematic review of qualitative studies

2024 | Sarah Wilson, Clare Tolley, Riona Mc Ardie, Lauren Lawson, Emily Beswick, Nehal Hassan, Robert Slight & Sarah Slight
This systematic review of qualitative studies identifies key strategies to advance digital health equity. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes digital health technologies (DHTs) to improve population health, but concerns remain about inequities in access and use across different demographic groups. The review synthesizes literature on inclusive digital health strategies, focusing on facilitators and barriers to their implementation. Strategies were grouped into outreach programmes and co-design approaches. Three key themes emerged: user-friendly designs, supportive infrastructure, and educational support. User-friendly designs included software and website interfaces that were easy to navigate, culturally appropriate content, and engaging features. Supportive infrastructure involved providing devices, free connectivity, and non-digital options to help access healthcare. Educational support included training to develop digital literacy skills. Recommendations include adopting a collaborative approach and using effective advertising to raise awareness of available support. Further research is needed to assess the feasibility and impact of these recommendations. The review highlights the importance of designing DHTs that are accessible to underserved groups, including those with visual or hearing impairments, low socioeconomic status, and limited education. Strategies to promote digital inclusivity include ensuring interoperability across devices, providing culturally appropriate content, and offering educational support. The review also emphasizes the need for supportive infrastructure, such as access to devices and connectivity, and the importance of involving underserved groups in the co-design of DHTs. Recommendations include collaborative working between DHT developers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, as well as effective advertising to raise awareness of available support. The review underscores the need for further research to explore the feasibility and acceptance of these strategies in practice.This systematic review of qualitative studies identifies key strategies to advance digital health equity. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes digital health technologies (DHTs) to improve population health, but concerns remain about inequities in access and use across different demographic groups. The review synthesizes literature on inclusive digital health strategies, focusing on facilitators and barriers to their implementation. Strategies were grouped into outreach programmes and co-design approaches. Three key themes emerged: user-friendly designs, supportive infrastructure, and educational support. User-friendly designs included software and website interfaces that were easy to navigate, culturally appropriate content, and engaging features. Supportive infrastructure involved providing devices, free connectivity, and non-digital options to help access healthcare. Educational support included training to develop digital literacy skills. Recommendations include adopting a collaborative approach and using effective advertising to raise awareness of available support. Further research is needed to assess the feasibility and impact of these recommendations. The review highlights the importance of designing DHTs that are accessible to underserved groups, including those with visual or hearing impairments, low socioeconomic status, and limited education. Strategies to promote digital inclusivity include ensuring interoperability across devices, providing culturally appropriate content, and offering educational support. The review also emphasizes the need for supportive infrastructure, such as access to devices and connectivity, and the importance of involving underserved groups in the co-design of DHTs. Recommendations include collaborative working between DHT developers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, as well as effective advertising to raise awareness of available support. The review underscores the need for further research to explore the feasibility and acceptance of these strategies in practice.
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