Assessing the Implementation of Digital Innovations in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic to Address Key Public Health Functions: Scoping Review of Academic and Nonacademic Literature

Abstract

Background Digital technologies have been central to efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, a range of literature has reported on developments regarding the implementation of new digital technologies for COVID-19–related surveillance, prevention, and control. Objective In this study, scoping reviews of academic and nonacademic literature were undertaken to obtain an overview of the evidence regarding digital innovations implemented to address key public health functions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to expand on the work of existing reviews by drawing on additional data sources (including nonacademic sources) by considering literature published over a longer time frame and analyzing data in terms of the number of unique digital innovations. Methods We conducted a scoping review of the academic literature published between January 1, 2020, and September 15, 2020, supplemented by a further scoping review of selected nonacademic literature published between January 1, 2020, and October 13, 2020. Both reviews followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach. Results A total of 226 academic articles and 406 nonacademic articles were included. The included articles provided evidence of 561 (academic literature) and 497 (nonacademic literature) unique digital innovations. The most common implementation settings for digital innovations were the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom. Technologies most commonly used by digital innovations were those belonging to the high-level technology group of integrated and ubiquitous fixed and mobile networks. The key public health functions most commonly addressed by digital innovations were communication and collaboration and surveillance and monitoring. Conclusions Digital innovations implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been wide ranging in terms of their implementation settings, the digital technologies used, and the public health functions addressed. However, evidence gathered through this study also points to a range of barriers that have affected the successful implementation of digital technologies for public health functions. It is also evident that many digital innovations implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are yet to be formally evaluated or assessed.

Innovations in public health surveillance: An overview of novel use of data and analytic methods

“…Commonly used digital data sources include social media and aggregate search query data, where initial surveillance applications date from the early 2000s, as well as participatory surveillance methods, such as repeated cross-sectional online surveys and crowdsourcing of photos or sample submissions (( 9 )). More recently, PHS applications of other digital technologies are being explored, such as mobility data and the Internet of Things (IoT), which includes wearable devices and other physical objects that connect and exchange data via the Internet (( 8 )). Digital data sources may have the potential to provide more timely information and capture populations that may not seek health care; although possible to use as an independent source of information, they are generally considered to be complementary to traditional surveillance data (( 9 )).…”

“…Many of these data sources and AI methods were used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, where timely and complete information was crucial to understanding and responding to evolving pandemic risks ( 4 ). The rapid development of these innovative surveillance methods and use of novel data sources suggests the need to take a closer look at the scientific maturity, as well as the feasibility and utility of their use, in real-world applications (( 5 , 6 , 8 )). The objective of this paper is to highlight examples of the application of innovative methods to PHS and provide insights for public health authorities on the potential benefits, risks, and challenges of using non-traditional data sources and methods in PHS.…”

Short- and Long-Term Predicted and Witnessed Consequences of Digital Surveillance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

“…In light of the ramifications associated with digital public health surveillance, the value of these forms of surveillance must be carefully weighed. Recent publications have suggested that the wide range of digital technologies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic for surveillance purposes faced a number of barriers preventing their successful implementation, and while many of these digital innovations have yet to be formally evaluated or assessed, there is significant uncertainty around their value [ 8 , 9 ]. It is difficult to determine the impact of digital surveillance on disease transmission, particularly given the challenges around technology uptake, implementation, and consistency.…”

“…Despite the extensive use of a plethora of digital solutions for public health surveillance, their actual efficacy in predicting disease spread or supporting public health responses has been unclear [ 8 , 9 ], and there remain ongoing questions about the ethical dimensions of digital surveillance. For instance, the use of digital tools by the state, its agents, the private sector, and other actors has raised concerns around the potential consequences of surveillance, particularly for those who are most marginalized [ 10 - 12 ].…”

Diagnostic evaluation of institutions as a basis for designing the Brazilian maturity model of telehealth services.

“…It has highlighted health inequalities, especially in low-income countries [2,3]. The need for social isolation relied on the creativity of the care teams and managers of health facilities to quickly transpose face-to-face practices to remote ones [4].…”