Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study
Abstract Background There is a growing urgency to tackle issues of equity and justice in the implementation of eHealth technologies. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the implementation and uptake of eHealth technologies in practi...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Equity in Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01640-5 |
| _version_ | 1818306482215583744 |
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| author | Milena Heinsch Campbell Tickner Frances Kay-Lambkin |
| author_facet | Milena Heinsch Campbell Tickner Frances Kay-Lambkin |
| author_sort | Milena Heinsch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is a growing urgency to tackle issues of equity and justice in the implementation of eHealth technologies. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the implementation and uptake of eHealth technologies in practice. The aim of this article was to examine in more detail issues of equity and justice in the implementation and uptake of eHealth technologies in practice. Results were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step reflexive thematic analysis approach. Results Nancy Fraser’s concept of social justice is introduced as a novel framework for inquiry into the implementation of digital health services. Health professionals reported that eHealth offered their clients a greater sense of safety, convenience, and flexibility, allowing them to determine the nature and pace of their healthcare, and giving them more control over their treatment and recovery. However, they also expressed concerns about the use of eHealth with clients whose home environment is unsafe. Application of Fraser’s framework revealed that eHealth technologies may not always provide a secure clinical space in which the voices of vulnerable clients can be recognised and heard. It also highlighted critical systemic and cultural barriers that hinder the representation of clients’ voices in the decision to use eHealth technologies and perpetuate inequalities in the distribution of eHealth services. Conclusions To facilitate broad participation, eHealth tools need to be adaptable to the needs and circumstances of diverse groups. Future implementation science efforts must also be directed at identifying and addressing the underlying structures that hinder equitable recognition, representation, and distribution in the implementation of eHealth resources. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T06:43:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f3688e740e4e4fa786fcab4d7e5c10dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-9276 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T06:43:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-f3688e740e4e4fa786fcab4d7e5c10dc2022-12-21T23:56:23ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762022-03-012111810.1186/s12939-022-01640-5Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot studyMilena Heinsch0Campbell Tickner1Frances Kay-Lambkin2Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of NewcastleCentre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of NewcastleCentre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of NewcastleAbstract Background There is a growing urgency to tackle issues of equity and justice in the implementation of eHealth technologies. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 19 multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the implementation and uptake of eHealth technologies in practice. The aim of this article was to examine in more detail issues of equity and justice in the implementation and uptake of eHealth technologies in practice. Results were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step reflexive thematic analysis approach. Results Nancy Fraser’s concept of social justice is introduced as a novel framework for inquiry into the implementation of digital health services. Health professionals reported that eHealth offered their clients a greater sense of safety, convenience, and flexibility, allowing them to determine the nature and pace of their healthcare, and giving them more control over their treatment and recovery. However, they also expressed concerns about the use of eHealth with clients whose home environment is unsafe. Application of Fraser’s framework revealed that eHealth technologies may not always provide a secure clinical space in which the voices of vulnerable clients can be recognised and heard. It also highlighted critical systemic and cultural barriers that hinder the representation of clients’ voices in the decision to use eHealth technologies and perpetuate inequalities in the distribution of eHealth services. Conclusions To facilitate broad participation, eHealth tools need to be adaptable to the needs and circumstances of diverse groups. Future implementation science efforts must also be directed at identifying and addressing the underlying structures that hinder equitable recognition, representation, and distribution in the implementation of eHealth resources.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01640-5ImplementationeHealthDigital healthEquitySocial justiceTheory |
| spellingShingle | Milena Heinsch Campbell Tickner Frances Kay-Lambkin Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study International Journal for Equity in Health Implementation eHealth Digital health Equity Social justice Theory |
| title | Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study |
| title_full | Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study |
| title_short | Placing equity at the heart of eHealth implementation: a qualitative pilot study |
| title_sort | placing equity at the heart of ehealth implementation a qualitative pilot study |
| topic | Implementation eHealth Digital health Equity Social justice Theory |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-022-01640-5 |
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