Previously submitted to: Journal of Medical Internet Research (no longer under consideration since Jul 02, 2026)
Date Submitted: Feb 2, 2026
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Cost-effectiveness of digital health in primary care: a systematic review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital health has rapidly expanded, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now widely used for consultations, disease management, and efficiency improvements in primary care. While it is considered clinically effective and potentially cost-effective, evidence on economic impact remains limited. Previous reviews have been condition-specific, highlighting the need for an updated systematic review focused on cost-effectiveness of digital health within primary care.
Objective:
The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and investigate the cost-effectiveness of digital health among adult primary care patients.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PICO framework. Both partial and full economic evaluations were included. Search results are presented in a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Economic Evaluations.
Results:
The search identified 4,091 results, of which 393 were selected for title and abstract screening and 47 studies were included in the review.
Conclusions:
The findings indicate that digital health is generally cost-effective, particularly within mental health, where improved outcomes and reduced costs are frequently reported. The evidence base is primarily informed by trial-based economic evaluations conducted from a healthcare perspective. However, substantial methodological heterogeneity and lack of standardization remain significant challenges. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42025644904
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Copyright
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