Which one? A suggested approach for evaluating digital health maturity models

Abstract

BackgroundDigital health maturity models allow healthcare organizations to evaluate digital health capability and to develop roadmaps for improving patient care through technology. There are many models available commercially for healthcare providers to use to assess their digital health maturity. Currently, there are limited evidence-based methods to assess the quality, utility, and efficacy of maturity models to select the most appropriate model for the given context.ObjectiveTo develop a framework to assess digital maturity models and facilitate recommendations for digital maturity model selection.MethodsA systematic, consultative, and iterative process was used. Literature analyses and a stakeholder needs analysis (n = 23) was conducted to develop content and design considerations. These considerations were incorporated into the initial version of the framework developed by researchers in a design workshop. External stakeholder review (n = 20) and improvements strengthened and finalized the framework.ResultsThe criteria of the framework include assessment of healthcare context, feasibility, integrity, completeness and actionability. Users can compare model performance in order to select the most appropriate model for their context.ConclusionThe framework provides healthcare stakeholders with a consistent and objective methodology to compare digital health maturity models, informing approaches to choosing a suitable model. This is a critical step as healthcare evolves towards a digital health system focused on improving the quality of care, reducing costs and improving the provider and consumer experience.

Perceived Impact of Digital Health Maturity on Patient Experience, Population Health, Health Care Costs, and Provider Experience: Mixed Methods Case Study

“…Defining the local governance and policy requirements to effect change in these actions and deliver on the 3 implications of this study will be needed. The dimensions and subdimensions of existing [ 26 ] and aggregated models [ 9 , 10 , 14 ] offer an important starting point for consideration to identify focus areas and prioritize efforts.…”

“…For example, the Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model scores hospitals in various countries to track the aspirational outcomes of digital transformations [8]. However, selecting the most appropriate digital health maturity model for the right health care context remains challenging [9], and existing models have often been criticized for lacking depth and breadth because of their focus on technology while neglecting meaningful consumer, patient, and system outcomes [10][11][12]. Focusing on the depth of technology implementation, instead of health care system outcomes achieved through technology, is now an outdated approach, and there are calls for a more balanced, outcome-focused perspective [13].…”