JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital health initiatives such as patient portals, virtual care platforms, and smartphone-based applications are being implemented at a rapid pace in healthcare organizations worldwide. This is often done to improve access beyond traditional in-person care and enhance care quality. Recent studies have indicated that better outcomes of using these initiatives and technologies may be achieved when patients and their family members are engaged in all aspects of planning, implementation, use and evaluation. However, little guidance exists for how healthcare administrators can achieve effective engagement in digital health initiatives specifically.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to document processes related to planning and implementing patient and family engagement (PFE) in digital health initiatives. This information will be used to develop tangible resources (e.g. a field guide) that other organizations can use to implement PFE approaches for digital health initiatives in their organizations.

Methods:

A previously developed multi-dimensional conceptual framework for patient and family engagement in health and healthcare contexts will be used to guide this work. To understand the intricacies involved in utilizing PFE approaches in digital health strategies, a case study will be conducted. More specifically, this work will employ an embedded single-case design with PFE in digital health initiatives at a large Canadian mental health and addictions teaching hospital. Multiple digital health projects being undertaken at the study site will be explored to better understand where the PFE is intended to support the design, implementation, and operation of the digital health platform or technology. These projects will form the individual units of analysis. Data collection will involve field notes and artefact collection by a participant-observer, and interviews with the various digital health project teams. Data analysis will include a thematic analysis, and mapping of the findings to the previously identified conceptual framework used to guide this work.

Results:

Funding for this work was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, via a Health System Impact Fellowship. As of August 2020, digital health projects that will form the case study units have been identified, and the participant observer has started to embed themselves into these projects. While the development and collection of field notes and artefacts respectively have begun, interviews have not been conducted. These are anticipated to occur in early 2021. This study is expected to conclude in August 2021. Once this study is complete, the development of a field guide and resources to support the uptake of PFE strategies in digital health, will begin.

Conclusions:

By better understanding the processes involved in PFE in digital health projects, guidance can be provided to relevant stakeholders and organizations about how to do this work in an effective manner. It is then anticipated that with the increasing use of PFE approaches, there may be improved uptake, experience and outcomes associated with using digital health technologies.