State-of-the-art technologies for the digital transformation of healthcare services – a systematic scoping review

State-of-the-art technologies for the digital transformation of healthcare services – a systematic scoping review | Research Square Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review State-of-the-art technologies for the digital transformation of healthcare services – a systematic scoping review Dr Thomas C Richards, Dr Ji Han, Professor Saeema Ahmed-Kristensen This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8958823/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background The implementation of digital technologies within health services promises increased performance, quality, and efficiency. However, evidence is limited for systems-level interventions of technologies and their outcomes. We systematically review state-of-the-art digital technologies and their applications in healthcare systems and conduct a framework synthesis to review outcomes related to maturity and implementation. Methods Eleven databases were searched (Embase, HMIC, Medline, PsycInfo, SPP, AgeLine, AMED, CDAS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, WoS) on 04/11/2024 for systematic and non-systematic reviews published within the previous five years that provided an overview of digital technologies applied at a systems-level in healthcare or evidence for their outcomes. Studies into individual interventions were excluded. Risk of bias/quality assessment tools used in the reviews were recorded. We review types and applications of technology, then use a framework synthesis methodology to assess outcomes relating to digital transformation awareness/maturity, implementation, UK context, and challenges. Results Our searches identified 1423 records, with 1011 remaining after deduplication. Of these, 131 were assessed for eligibility, with 28 reviews reporting on 1606 individual studies (with an additional 2437 included in a bibliometric analysis) included in the final analysis. We identified five main groups of technology in healthcare: Integrated Technology/Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain. Our framework synthesis revealed recent conceptual recognition of digital transformation, and variability across regions with regards to the sophistication and maturity of uptake of technologies. We report on four reviews which provided quantitative evidence on the impact of digital technologies in health services. Barriers included major concerns related to data privacy and trust, equity, ethics, and implementation logistics. UK frameworks exist for implementation of technologies, but do not focus exclusively on the systems-level. Conclusions Digital technologies are increasingly integrated into health service delivery, yet the maturity and evaluation of these tools vary across regions. More robust implementation research is needed for advanced systems. Our synthesis provides a framework for healthcare leaders to assess digital readiness and prioritise technologies aligned with service transformation goals. Limitations of evidence include the heterogeneity of technologies, settings, and outcomes across included reviews. Trial Registration The review was not part of a trial and was not registered. Health Policy Digital transformation digital technologies healthcare services health systems design systematic review industry 4.0 artificial intelligence big data internet of things blockchain Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Supplementary Files AdditionalFile1SearchStrategyandResults.docx Additional File 1 - Search Strategy and Results.docx AdditionalFile2ReasonsforExclusion.xlsx Additional File 2 - Reasons for Exclusion.xlsx AdditionalFile3PRISMAScRFillableChecklist10Sept2019.docx Additional File 3 - PRISMA-ScR-Fillable-Checklist_10Sept2019.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. 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