Development of an Evidence-Based Conceptual Model of the Health Care Sector Under Digital Transformation: Integrative Review

Abstract

Background Digital transformation is currently one of the most influential developments. It is fundamentally changing consumers’ expectations and behaviors, challenging traditional firms, and disrupting numerous markets. Recent discussions in the health care sector tend to assess the influence of technological implications but neglect other factors needed for a holistic view on the digital transformation. This calls for a reevaluation of the current state of digital transformation in health care. Consequently, there is a need for a holistic view on the complex interdependencies of digital transformation in the health care sector. Objective This study aimed to examine the effects of digital transformation on the health care sector. This is accomplished by providing a conceptual model of the health care sector under digital transformation. Methods First, the most essential stakeholders in the health care sector were identified by a scoping review and grounded theory approach. Second, the effects on these stakeholders were assessed. PubMed, Web of Science, and Dimensions were searched for relevant studies. On the basis of an integrative review and grounded theory methodology, the relevant academic literature was systematized and quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to evaluate the impact on the value creation of, and the relationships among, the stakeholders. Third, the findings were synthesized into a conceptual model of the health care sector under digital transformation. Results A total of 2505 records were identified from the database search; of these, 140 (5.59%) were included and analyzed. The results revealed that providers of medical treatments, patients, governing institutions, and payers are the most essential stakeholders in the health care sector. As for the individual stakeholders, patients are experiencing a technology-enabled growth of influence in the sector. Providers are becoming increasingly dependent on intermediaries for essential parts of the value creation and patient interaction. Payers are expected to try to increase their influence on intermediaries to exploit the enormous amounts of data while seeing their business models be challenged by emerging technologies. Governing institutions regulating the health care sector are increasingly facing challenges from new entrants in the sector. Intermediaries increasingly interconnect all these stakeholders, which in turn drives new ways of value creation. These collaborative efforts have led to the establishment of a virtually integrated health care ecosystem. Conclusions The conceptual model provides a novel and evidence-based perspective on the interrelations among actors in the health care sector, indicating that individual stakeholders need to recognize their role in the system. The model can be the basis of further evaluations of strategic actions of actors and their effects on other actors or the health care ecosystem itself.

Adaptation of a guided low-intensity behavioral activation intervention for people with dementia in Sweden: a qualitative study exploring the needs and preferences of key stakeholders

“…A related finding was a reported need to consider providing the intervention in digital form in the future. Given the digitalization of society, some stakeholders may prefer a digital intervention, indicating a need for future intervention adaptation to follow societal developments [ 53 ]. Preferences for digital healthcare interventions have been expressed by people with young-onset dementia and their partners [ 54 ].…”

The Impact of Digital Platforms and Ecosystems in Healthcare on Value Creation—A Integrative Review and Research Agenda

“…The interdependencies of the characteristics of digital transformation are shown in Figure 1. Based on a different analysis [30] and focusing on the most essential stakeholders in the healthcare-system, the effects of digital transformation on value creation in healthcare can be described as follows. Patients are experiencing a technologyenabled growth of influence in the sector.…”

“…More detailed insights on the effect of digital transformation on the value creation and relationships among stakeholders in the healthcare sector are reported elsewhere [30].…”