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Coetzer JA, Loukili I, Goedhart NS, Ket JCF, Schuitmaker-Warnaar TJ, Zuiderent-Jerak T, Dedding C. The potential and paradoxes of eHealth research for digitally marginalised groups: A qualitative meta-review. Soc Sci Med 2024; 350:116895. [PMID: 38710135 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Whilst the transformation towards digital healthcare is accelerating, there is still a substantial risk of excluding people with a distance to the online world. Groups like people with a low socioeconomic position, people with a migrant background or the elderly, who are already most at risk of experiencing health inequalities, are simultaneously experiencing increased digital exclusion. Researchers play a role in determining how eHealth access is framed and can thus impact how the barriers to its use are addressed. This qualitative meta-review critically evaluates the way researchers (as authors) discuss eHealth use in digitally marginalised groups. Specifically, it seeks to understand how eHealth is framed to address existing health systems problems; how the barriers to eHealth use are presented and which solutions are provided in response; and who authors suggest should be responsible for making eHealth work. The results of this review found four paradoxes in how current literature views eHealth use. Firstly, that health systems problems are complex and nuanced, yet eHealth is seen as a simple answer. Secondly, that there are many political, social and health systems-based solutions suggested to address eHealth use, however most of the identified barriers are individually framed. This focus on personal deficits results in misallocating responsibility for making these systemic improvements. Thirdly, although eHealth is meant to simplify the tasks of patients and healthcare workers, these are the groups most often burdened with the responsibility of ensuring its success. Lastly, despite tailoring eHealth to the user being the most suggested solution, researchers generally speak about groups as a homogenous entity - thus rendering tailoring difficult. Ultimately, this review finds that a shift to focus research on addressing systemic issues on a systems level is necessary to prevent further exacerbating existing health inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Coetzer
- Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Ibrahim Loukili
- Department of Ethics, Law & Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1089a, F-vleugel medische faculteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Nicole S Goedhart
- Department of Ethics, Law & Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1089a, F-vleugel medische faculteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Johannes C F Ket
- VUmc, Medische Bibliotheek, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Teun Zuiderent-Jerak
- Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Christine Dedding
- Department of Ethics, Law & Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1089a, F-vleugel medische faculteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Nittas V, Daniore P, Chavez SJ, Wray TB. Challenges in implementing cultural adaptations of digital health interventions. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:7. [PMID: 38182750 PMCID: PMC10770150 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00426-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Differences in the access and use of digital health interventions are driven by culture, in addition to economic and physical factors. To avoid the systematic exclusion of traditionally underserved cultural groups, creating inclusive digital health interventions is essential. One way to achieve this is through cultural adaptations, defined as the systematic modification of an existing intervention that aligns with a target audience's cultural norms, beliefs, and values. In theory, cultural adaptations can potentially increase the reach and engagement of digital health interventions. However, the evidence of whether and how that is achieved is limited. Justifying, planning, and implementing an adaptation comes with various challenges and takes time and money. This perspective provides a critical overview of the field's current state and emphasizes the need for technology-specific frameworks that address when and how to culturally adapt digital health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Nittas
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 02912, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Paola Daniore
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich Faculty of Medicine, Universitaetstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah J Chavez
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 02912, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Tyler B Wray
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 02912, Providence, RI, USA
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