SpringerLink
Log in

Implementation of Digital Health Interventions in Practice

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Develo** and Utilizing Digital Technology in Healthcare for Assessment and Monitoring

Abstract

Digital health interventions include an array of technologies which utilise digital and mobile technologies to support health and care system needs and span the spectrum from everyday technologies like mobile phones to the more specialist technologies such as augmented reality. Digital health technologies are increasingly used in health and care settings to support the delivery of services and models of care and are considered central to shifting paradigms from traditional, reactive models of care to newer, disruptive and transformational approaches. Implementing digital health interventions in practice can provide a powerful catalyst to empower patients, citizens and informal caregivers in health and care scenarios by providing them with a range of tools to facilitate meaningful contributions to their own healthcare experiences. However, reaching the much desired echelons of full-scale adoption and implementation of digital health interventions in practice is often not without its challenges, but can be achieved through appreciation of the contexts in which the interventions are to be deployed, understanding user needs, adopting considered and systematic approaches to implementation and reflecting on experiences from real-life implementation scenarios. In this chapter, we consider some strategies that can help guide successful implementation of digital health technologies by introducing some implementation frameworks that can be utilised during the design, development, deployment and evaluation of digital health technologies in practice. We also reflect on some successful implementation practices by drawing on relevant published examples of large-scale digital health intervention deployments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wang Y, Fadhil A, Lange JP, Reiterer H. Integrating taxonomies into theory-based digital health interventions for behavior change: a holistic framework. JMIR Res Protoc. 2019;8(1):e8055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. WHO. Classification of digital health interventions v1.0: a shared language to describe the uses of digital technology for health. Geneva: WHO; 2018. https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/mhealth/classification-digital-health-interventions/en/.

    Google Scholar 

  3. The Lancet Digital H. A digital (r)evolution: introducing The Lancet Digital Health. Lancet Digit Health. 2019;1(1):e1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Forum WE. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/.

  5. WHO. Draft global strategy on digital health 2020–2024. Geneva: WHO; 2020.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Powell J, Newhouse N, Boylan A-M, Williams V. Digital health citizens and the future of the NHS. Digit Health. 2016;2:2055207616672033.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Meskó B, Drobni Z, Bényei É, Gergely B, Győrffy Z. Digital health is a cultural transformation of traditional healthcare. mHealth. 2017;3:38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Trischler J, Dietrich T, Rundle-Thiele S. Co-design: from expert- to user-driven ideas in public service design. Public Manag Rev. 2019;21(11):1595–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yardley L, Morrison L, Bradbury K, Muller I. The person-based approach to intervention development: application to digital health-related behavior change interventions. J Med Internet Res. 2015;17(1):e30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Council DH. Design principles for digital health.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Steen M. Co-design as a process of joint inquiry and imagination. Des Issues. 2013;29(2):16–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Ospina-Pinillos L, Davenport T, Mendoza Diaz A, Navarro-Mancilla A, Scott EM, Hickie IB Using Participatory Design Methodologies to Co-Design and Culturally Adapt the Spanish Version of the Mental Health eClinic: Qualitative Study J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(8):e14127. https://www.jmir.org/2019/8/e14127, https://doi.org/10.2196/14127.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Craig P, Petticrew M. Develo** and evaluating complex interventions: reflections on the 2008 MRC guidance. Int J Nurs Stud. 2013;50:585.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Nilsen P. Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implement Sci. 2015;10:53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Kitson A, Harvey G. Methods to succeed in effective knowledge translation in clinical practice. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2016;48:294–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Rycroft-Malone J. The PARIHS framework—a framework for guiding the implementation of evidence-based practice. J Nurs Care Qual. 2004;19:297–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Kitson AL, Rycroft-Malone J, Harvey G, McCormack B, Seers K, Titchen A. Evaluating the successful implementation of evidence into practice using the PARiHS framework: theoretical and practical challenges. Implement Sci. 2008;3:1. http://www.implementationscience.com/content/pdf/1748-5908-3-1.pdf.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Conklin J, Stolee P. A model for evaluating knowledge exchange in a network context. Can J Nurs Res. 2008;40:116–24.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hutchinson AM, Wilkinson JE, Kent B, Harrison MB. Using the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework to guide research use in the practice setting. Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing. 2012;9(1):59–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6787.2011.00238.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Greenhalgh T, Wherton J, Papoutsi C, Lynch J, Hughes G, A’Court C, et al. Beyond adoption: a new framework for theorizing and evaluating nonadoption, abandonment, and challenges to the scale-up, spread, and sustainability of health and care technologies. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(11):e367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Greenhalgh T, Wherton J, Papoutsi C, Lynch J, Hughes G, A’Court C, et al. Analysing the role of complexity in explaining the fortunes of technology programmes: empirical application of the NASSS framework. BMC Med. 2018;16(1):66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Greenhalgh T, Abimbola S. The NASSS framework - a synthesis of multiple theories of technology implementation. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2019;263:193–204.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Greenhalgh T, Maylor H, Shaw S, Wherton J, Papoutsi C, Betton V, et al. The NASSS-CAT tools for understanding, guiding, monitoring, and researching technology implementation projects in health and social care: protocol for an evaluation study in real-world settings. JMIR Res Protoc. 2020;9(5):e16861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Murray E, Treweek S, Pope C, MacFarlane A, Ballini L, Dowrick C, et al. Normalisation process theory: a framework for develo**, evaluating and implementing complex interventions. BMC Med. 2010;8:63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. May CR, Mair F, Finch T, MacFarlane A, Dowrick C, Treweek S, et al. Development of a theory of implementation and integration: normalization process theory. Implement Sci. 2009;4:29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Mishuris RG, Palmisano J, McCullagh L, Hess R, Feldstein DA, Smith PD, et al. Using normalisation process theory to understand workflow implications of decision support implementation across diverse primary care settings. BMJ Health Care Inform. 2019;26(1):e100088.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ross J, Stevenson F, Dack C, Pal K, May C, Michie S, et al. Develo** an implementation strategy for a digital health intervention: an example in routine healthcare. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):794.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Dack C, Ross J, Stevenson F, Pal K, Gubert E, Michie S, et al. A digital self-management intervention for adults with type 2 diabetes: combining theory, data and participatory design to develop HeLP-diabetes. Internet Interv. 2019;17:100241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. McGee-Lennon M, Bouamrane M-M, Grieve E, O’Donnell CA, O’Connor S, Agbakoba R, et al. A flexible toolkit for evaluating person-centred digital health and wellness at scale. Cham: Springer; 2017.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  30. Rapley T, Girling M, Mair FS, Murray E, Treweek S, McColl E, et al. Improving the normalization of complex interventions: part 1 - development of the NoMAD instrument for assessing implementation work based on normalization process theory (NPT). BMC Med Res Methodol. 2018;18(1):133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Finch TL, Girling M, May CR, Mair FS, Murray E, Treweek S, et al. Improving the normalization of complex interventions: part 2 - validation of the NoMAD instrument for assessing implementation work based on normalization process theory (NPT). BMC Med Res Methodol. 2018;18(1):135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Mummah SA, Robinson TN, King AC, Gardner CD, Sutton S. IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share): a framework and toolkit of strategies for the development of more effective digital interventions to change health behavior. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(12):e317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Fedele DA, McConville A, Moon J, Thomas JG. Topical review: design considerations when creating pediatric mobile health interventions: applying the IDEAS framework. J Pediatr Psychol. 2018;44(3):343–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Mummah SA, King AC, Gardner CD, Sutton S. Iterative development of Vegethon: a theory-based mobile app intervention to increase vegetable consumption. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2016;13:90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Furlong E, Darley A, Fox P, Buick A, Kotronoulas G, Miller M, et al. Adaptation and implementation of a mobile phone–based remote symptom monitoring system for people with cancer in Europe. JMIR Cancer. 2019;5(1):e10813.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Maguire R, Fox PA, McCann L, Miaskowski C, Kotronoulas G, Miller M, et al. The eSMART study protocol: a randomised controlled trial to evaluate electronic symptom management using the advanced symptom management system (ASyMS) remote technology for patients with cancer. BMJ Open. 2017;7(5):e015016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. May C, Fitch T. Implementing, embedding and integrating practices: an outline of normalisation process theory. Sociology. 2009;43:535–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Dugstad J, Eide T, Nilsen ER, Eide H. Towards successful digital transformation through co-creation: a longitudinal study of a four-year implementation of digital monitoring technology in residential care for persons with dementia. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19(1):366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Devlin AM, McGee-Lennon M, O’Donnell CA, Bouamrane M-M, Agbakoba R, O’Connor S, et al. Delivering digital health and well-being at scale: lessons learned during the implementation of the dallas program in the United Kingdom. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2016;23(1):48–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lennon MR, Bouamrane M-M, Devlin AM, O’Connor S, O’Donnell C, Chetty U, et al. Readiness for delivering digital health at scale: lessons from a longitudinal qualitative evaluation of a national digital health innovation program in the United Kingdom. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(2):e42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Lennon MR, Bouamrane MM, Devlin AM, O’Connor S, O’Donnell C, Chetty U, et al. Readiness for delivering digital health at scale: lessons from a longitudinal qualitative evaluation of a national digital health innovation program in the United Kingdom. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(2):e42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digital Health & Care, Digital Health & Wellness Group, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

    Lisa McCann & Roma Maguire

Authors
  1. Lisa McCann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roma Maguire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa McCann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nursing Department, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus

    Andreas Charalambous

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

McCann, L., Maguire, R. (2020). Implementation of Digital Health Interventions in Practice. In: Charalambous, A. (eds) Develo** and Utilizing Digital Technology in Healthcare for Assessment and Monitoring. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60697-8_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60697-8_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-60696-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-60697-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation