Imperial College London

MsNikiO'Brien

Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Surgery & Cancer

Visiting Researcher
 
 
 
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Contact

 

n.obrien

 
 
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Location

 

Norfolk PlaceSt Mary's Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{O'Brien:2023:10.2196/45224,
author = {O'Brien, N and Li, E and Chaibva, C and Gomez, Bravo R and Kovacevic, L and Kwame, Ayisi-Boateng N and Lounsbury, O and Nwabufo, F and Senkyire, EK and Serafini, A and Surafel, Abay E and van, de Vijver S and Wanjala, M and Wangari, M-C and Moosa, S and Neves, AL},
doi = {10.2196/45224},
journal = {Journal of Medical Internet Research},
pages = {1--14},
title = {SWOT analysis of the use of digital health technologies in primary health care in the Sub-Saharan African Region: a qualitative study},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/45224},
volume = {25},
year = {2023}
}

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB - Background:In many health systems globally, digital health technologies (DHT) have become increasingly commonplace as a means of delivering primary care. COVID-19 has further increased the pace of this trend. While DHTs have been postulated to reduce inequalities, increase access, and strengthen health systems, how DHT implementation has been realised in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) healthcare environment remains to be further explored.Objective:To capture the multidisciplinary experiences of SSA experts and primary care healthcare providers using DHTs to explore the strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats regarding the implementation and use of DHTs in SSA primary care settings.Methods:A combination of qualitative approaches was adopted (i.e., online focus groups and semi-structured interviews), using an online platform. Participants were recruited through AfroPHC and researchers contact networks, using convenience sampling, and included if having experience with digital technologies in primary health care in SSA. Focus and interviews were conducted, respectively, in November 2021 and January-March 2022. Topic guides were used to cover relevant topics in the interviews and focus groups, using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) framework. Transcripts were compiled verbatim and systematically reviewed by two independent reviewers using thematic analysis to identify emerging themes. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used to ensure the study meets the recommended standards of qualitative data reporting.Results:Strengths of DHT use ranged from improving access to care, supporting the continuity of care, and increasing care satisfaction and trust, to greater collaboration, enabling safer decision-making, and hastening progress towards universal health coverage. Weaknesses included poor digital literacy, health inequalities, lack of human resources, inadequate training, lack o
AU - O'Brien,N
AU - Li,E
AU - Chaibva,C
AU - Gomez,Bravo R
AU - Kovacevic,L
AU - Kwame,Ayisi-Boateng N
AU - Lounsbury,O
AU - Nwabufo,F
AU - Senkyire,EK
AU - Serafini,A
AU - Surafel,Abay E
AU - van,de Vijver S
AU - Wanjala,M
AU - Wangari,M-C
AU - Moosa,S
AU - Neves,AL
DO - 10.2196/45224
EP - 14
PY - 2023///
SN - 1438-8871
SP - 1
TI - SWOT analysis of the use of digital health technologies in primary health care in the Sub-Saharan African Region: a qualitative study
T2 - Journal of Medical Internet Research
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/45224
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/105799
VL - 25
ER -