Development of an evidence-informed implementation strategy for a digital supportive care platform for brain tumour patients, their carers and healthcare professionals
- Author(s)
- Schadewaldt, V; O'Brien, T; Kalla, M; Krishnasamy, M; Burns, K; Bray, SCE; Gilbert, C; De Abreu Lourenco, R; Thomas, J; Capurro, D; Chapman, W; Borda, A; Dhillon, RS; Whittle, JR; Drummond, KJ;
- Journal Title
- Digital Health
- Publication Type
- Research article
- Abstract
- BACKGROUND: Implementation challenges of digital health solutions (DHSs) comprise complexities of behavioural change, resource limitation, inertia in existing systems, and failure to include consumer preferences. Understanding the factors which contribute to successful implementation of DHS is essential. We report the development of an implementation strategy for Brain Tumours Online (BT Online), a digital supportive care platform for patients with brain tumours, their carers and healthcare professionals. AIM: To develop an evidence-informed implementation strategy for BT Online, considering the specific barriers and facilitators to implementing DHS for adults with a brain tumour and their carers and healthcare professionals. METHODS: A rapid review methodology was used to summarise factors relevant to implementation of DHS for people affected by cancer. Themes from the review were supported by implementation guidelines for DHS and the combined evidence informed the implementation strategy. Each theme was matched with specific steps for implementing BT Online. RESULTS: The rapid review identified 10 themes, namely, awareness of the new digital platform; institutional integration and support; data security, the quality, usability and accessibility of the platform; belief in the benefit of the platform; the need for holistic and tailored features; the timing of introducing the platform; engagement of healthcare professionals; and the re-definition of roles and workload. The themes were matched with 51 concrete implementation steps. DISCUSSION: The purpose of the strategy was to minimise risk of implementation failure, consider the specific context of care and generate a reference framework to evaluate BT Online prior to upscaling to use outside the research context. Our method contributes a novel approach of developing an evidence-informed rigorous implementation strategy if existing implementation frameworks do not apply.; The implementation plan of a digital health platform to support patients with a brain tumour, their carers and healthcare profesionals Why was the study done? We explored the best way to introduce a digital supportive care platform to patients with a brain tumour, their carers and healthcare professionals. To reach and engage all users, barriers and enablers specific to their needs must be considered when implementing such a platform into existing care pathways. Why is the study important? In Australia, there is no digital platform that provides people affected by a brain tumour with information, self-help tools and connection with peers in one place. Our team of patients, carers, healthcare professionals, digital health researchers and digital software developers has built a digital platform that meets all these needs. It is called BT Online (https://braintumoursonline.org/). This study presents the implementation plan of BT Online. What did the researchers do? To identify potential barriers and enablers to implement the platform we searched the research literature and published guidelines on the implementation of digital health solutions. From these resources we developed a structured implementation plan. What did we find? The implementation plan consisted of 10 themes that guided the implementation steps when introducing BT Online to its users. For example, the timing of introducing the platform to its users is important and user data needs to be safe. Furthermore, healthcare professionals are important to engage patients and carers in platform participation. In total, we followed 51 implementation steps. Having a well-constructed implementation plan increases the chance that BT Online will be successful for patients with a brain tumour, their carers and healthcare professionals.; eng
- Keywords
- Brain cancer; carers; digital health; implementation research; online platform; patient-centred; rapid review
- Department(s)
- Health Services Research; Medical Oncology
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251316713
- Open Access at Publisher's Site
https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251316713- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2025-03-21 06:57:17
Last Modified: 2025-03-21 06:58:05