Determinants of and barriers to adoption of digital therapeutics for mental health at scale in the NHS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Determinants of and barriers to adoption of digital therapeutics for mental health at scale in the NHS

AU - Williams, Matt G.

AU - Stott, Richard

AU - Bromwich, Nicki

AU - Oblak, Susie K.

AU - Espie, Colin A.

AU - Rose, James B.

PY - 2020/1/1

Y1 - 2020/1/1

N2 - Objectives: Although it is widely acknowledged that digital therapeutics will play a significant role in the future delivery of healthcare, the method by which these innovations may be commissioned by the National Health Service, at scale, remains unclear. This study explores English health commissioners' experiences of, and attitudes towards, adopting digital healthcare innovations. Methods: 37 commissioners and decision-makers from a range of sectors within the health profession were invited to participate in structured interviews to gather relevant examples of experience and opinions. 14 commissioners participated and the notes from the resulting interviews were interpreted using qualitative content analysis. Controlled interpretation was applied to the categorised responses, paraphrasing and classifying into themes. Results: Common determinants and barriers to adoption of digital mental health expressed during the interview process included commissioners' lack of familiarity with technology, information governance, digital literacy of users and decision-makers. Conclusions: Recognition of identified barriers may be helpful for innovators when developing engagement and market access strategies and suggest areas for focus and further development within the commissioning process to accommodate digital health solutions.

AB - Objectives: Although it is widely acknowledged that digital therapeutics will play a significant role in the future delivery of healthcare, the method by which these innovations may be commissioned by the National Health Service, at scale, remains unclear. This study explores English health commissioners' experiences of, and attitudes towards, adopting digital healthcare innovations. Methods: 37 commissioners and decision-makers from a range of sectors within the health profession were invited to participate in structured interviews to gather relevant examples of experience and opinions. 14 commissioners participated and the notes from the resulting interviews were interpreted using qualitative content analysis. Controlled interpretation was applied to the categorised responses, paraphrasing and classifying into themes. Results: Common determinants and barriers to adoption of digital mental health expressed during the interview process included commissioners' lack of familiarity with technology, information governance, digital literacy of users and decision-makers. Conclusions: Recognition of identified barriers may be helpful for innovators when developing engagement and market access strategies and suggest areas for focus and further development within the commissioning process to accommodate digital health solutions.

KW - adoption

KW - commissioning

KW - digital therapeutics

KW - innovation

KW - mental health

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085049245&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1136/bmjinnov-2019-000384

DO - 10.1136/bmjinnov-2019-000384

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85085049245

SN - 2055-8074

JO - BMJ Innovations

JF - BMJ Innovations

M1 - bmjinnov-2019-000384

ER -