Priorities for implementation of digital health in cancer care: a qualitative study of the perspectives of Australian people affected by cancer, health professionals, researchers, developers, non-government organization and government representatives

Abstract

Background: Digital health technology holds the potential to improve cancer care, given the complexity of cancer treatment and care and ongoing nature of survivorship. Advancement of digital health in Australian cancer care requires identification of implementation barriers and enablers, and alignment to strategic priorities driven by needs and opportunities. This study examined diverse views to identify implementation barriers, enablers, and priorities.Methods: People affected by cancer, health professionals, researchers/developers, non-government and government representatives (n = 51) participated in focus groups/interviews discussing barriers, enablers, needs and opportunities for digital health implementation in cancer care. Researchers used thematic analysis to identify critical themes.Results: Issues for implementation of digital health in cancer care were conceptualized across four themes encompassing 16 subthemes. Predominant subthemes were ease of use (98%); user engagement (96%); coordination (90%); access (84%); and cost (77%). Participants called for increased attention to ease of use and user engagement, and emphasized the needs for coordination and collaboration.Conclusions: This study provides rich lived-experience data on enablers, barriers and needs for implementation of digital health in cancer care from perspectives of Australian survivors, health professionals, researchers, developers, non-government and government representatives. This research will inform further development and implementation of digital health in Australian cancer care.

Keywords

• Cancer care
• digital health
• eHealth
• implementation
• qualitative