Digital maturity and its determinants in General Practice: A cross-sectional study in 20 countries

Abstract

BackgroundThe extent to which digital technologies are employed to promote the delivery of high-quality healthcare is known as Digital Maturity. Individual and systemic digital maturity are both necessary to ensure a successful, scalable and sustainable digital transformation in healthcare. However, digital maturity in primary care has been scarcely evaluated.ObjectivesThis study assessed the digital maturity in General Practice (GP) globally and evaluated its association with participants' demographic characteristics, practice characteristics and features of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) use.MethodsGPs across 20 countries completed an online questionnaire between June and September 2020. Demographic data, practice characteristics, and features of EHRs use were collected. Digital maturity was evaluated through a framework based on usage, resources and abilities (divided in this study in its collective and individual components), interoperability, general evaluation methods and impact of digital technologies. Each dimension was rated as 1 or 0. The digital maturity score was calculated as the sum of the six dimensions and ranged between 0 to 6 (maximum digital maturity). Multivariable linear regression was used to model the total score, while multivariable logistic regression was used to model the probability of meeting each dimension of the score.ResultsOne thousand six hundred GPs (61% female, 68% Europeans) participated. GPs had a median digital maturity of 4 (P25–P75: 3–5). Positive associations with digital maturity were found with: male gender [B = 0.18 (95% CI 0.01; 0.36)], use of EHRs for longer periods [B = 0.45 (95% CI 0.35; 0.54)] and higher frequencies of access to EHRs [B = 0.33 (95% CI 0.17; 0.48)]. Practicing in a rural setting was negatively associated with digital maturity [B = −0.25 (95%CI −0.43; −0.08)]. Usage (90%) was the most acknowledged dimension while interoperability (47%) and use of best practice general evaluation methods (28%) were the least. Shorter durations of EHRs use were negatively associated with all digital maturity dimensions (aOR from 0.09 to 0.77).ConclusionOur study demonstrated notable factors that impact digital maturity and exposed discrepancies in digital transformation across healthcare settings. It provides guidance for policymakers to develop more efficacious interventions to hasten the digital transformation of General Practice.

Big 5 Personality Traits and Individual- and Practice-Related Characteristics as Influencing Factors of Digital Maturity in General Practices: Quantitative Web-Based Survey Study

“…Both dimensions center around GPs’ capabilities and knowledge in using digital health solutions and leadership in digitalization. Interestingly, our study’s subscale IT Capability , which focuses on hardware and network resources and the actual use of digital health solutions, received a lower score, contrasting with previous findings [ 21 ]. A comparison between both studies should be interpreted cautiously, given the different underlying foci of digital maturity assessments.…”

“…The significance of digital maturity in ensuring a successful digital transformation and optimized service delivery has been proposed in numerous maturity models and corresponding studies[ 13 , 16 , 43 , 47 , 55 ]. However, limited research focuses on digital maturity in general practice settings [ 20 , 21 ]. Thus, this study sought to investigate digital maturity in general practices and specifically evaluate the relationship with GPs’ inherent characteristics.…”

“…Digital maturity is a multifaceted construct encompassing various technological and organizational dimensions beyond digital systems use [ 13 ]. Thus, there are oftentimes not only differences in the overall digital maturity between practices but also between the various underlying dimensions [ 21 ]. A recent study found the highest scores for overall digital systems use, followed by collective and individual resources and ability [ 21 ].…”

“…Thus, there are oftentimes not only differences in the overall digital maturity between practices but also between the various underlying dimensions [ 21 ]. A recent study found the highest scores for overall digital systems use, followed by collective and individual resources and ability [ 21 ]. Likewise, our study’s subscales of People, Skills, and Behavior and Governance and Management received the highest scores.…”

“…A comparison between both studies should be interpreted cautiously, given the different underlying foci of digital maturity assessments. Although Teixeira et al [ 21 ] used a tool evaluating the digital maturity of electronic health record systems, our study assessed digital maturity more broadly. In addition, the difference in the findings might be attributable to geographical differences in health care delivery.…”