JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are recognized as critical enablers of integrated primary care to support patients living with multiple chronic conditions. Although ICT-enabled integrated primary care hold promises to support complex patients through team-based and continued care, critical implementation factors regarding what ICTs are available and how they enable this model are yet to be mapped in the literature.

Objective:

This scoping review addresses this current knowledge gap by answering the following research question: What information and communication technologies (ICTs) are used in delivering integrated primary care for patients with complex care needs?

Methods:

The Arksey and O’Malley method was used to guide this scoping review. Four electronic medical databases were accessed: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, collecting studies published between January 2000 to December 2021. Identified peer-reviewed articles were screened in two stages: 1) title and abstract screening, and 2) full-text review. Relevant studies were charted, collated, and analyzed using the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care and the eHealth enhanced Chronic Care Model.

Results:

A total of 52, 216 articles were identified of which 31 met the eligibility criteria of the review. In the current literature, ICTs are utilized to serve the following functions in the integrated primary care setting: information sharing, self-management support, clinical decision-making, and remote service delivery. The ICTs are supporting integration efforts by promoting teamwork and coordinating clinical services across teams, and organizations. Patient, provider, organizational and technological factors are considered important implementation factors for ICT-based intervention in the integrated primary care setting.

Conclusions:

To maximize technological benefits in primary care, the literature suggests that system-level support and a favourable implementation climate are required. Future research is needed to explore how to integrate technologies at an organization and system level to create a health system that is well-prepared to optimize technologies to support complex patients.