Identifying and Overcoming Policy‐Level Barriers to the Implementation of Digital Health Innovation in Ontario: Qualitative Study

DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN RESEARCH STUDIES ON NURSING AND HEALTH

ABSTRACT Objective to reflect on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, as a theoretical-methodological framework for research studies on Nursing and Health. Method a reflective study, based on the principles and concepts of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory as a theoretical-methodological framework, and its applicability in studies on innovations in health. Results using the framework enables the conduction of studies encompassing qualitative, quantitative and mixed approaches, applicable for the identification of the need for innovation in the elaboration, design, implementation, evaluation and adjustment of the innovations. The diffusion process evaluation through the elements of innovation, time, social systems and communication channels enables apprehending contributing factors for the success of a given innovation. Conclusion the theoretical perspective herein presented offers conceptual grounds to apprehend the process corresponding to the diffusion of innovations in the health field, through sensitive models and evaluation and elaboration of diffusion processes suitable for various contexts.

Removing barriers for digital health through organizing ambidexterity in hospitals

Aim

Hospitals noticeably struggle with maintaining hundreds of IT systems and applications in compliance with the latest IT standards and regulations. Thus, hospitals search for efficient opportunities to discover and integrate useful digital health innovations into their existing IT landscapes. In addition, although a multitude of digital innovations from digital health startups enter the market, numerous barriers impede their successful implementation and adoption. Against this background, the aim of this study was to explore typical digital innovation barriers in hospitals, and to assess how a hospital data management platform (HDMP) architecture might help hospitals to extract such innovative capabilities.

Subject and methods

Based on the concept of organizational ambidexterity (OA), we pursued a qualitative mixed-methods approach. First, we explored and consolidated innovation barriers through a systematic literature review, interviews with 20 startup representatives, and a focus group interview with a hospital IT team and the CEO of an HDMP provider. Finally, we conducted a case-study analysis of 36 digital health startups to explore and conceptualize the potential impact of DI and apply the morphological method to synthesize our findings from a multi-level perspective.

Results

We first provide a systematic and conceptual overview of typical barriers for digital innovation in hospitals. Hereupon, we explain how an HDMP might enable hospitals to mitigate such barriers and extract value from digital innovations at both individual and organizational level.

Conclusion

Our results imply that an HDMP can help hospitals to approach organizational ambidexterity through integrating and maintaining hundreds of systems and applications, which allows for a structured and controlled integration of external digital innovations.