Digital navigators to implement smartphone and digital tools in care

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• Health informatics
• Clinical implementation science

Background:

• Digital health tools offer potential for improved healthcare quality and access.
• Successful implementation of these tools in clinical practice is limited by several challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of a digital navigator in overcoming barriers to digital health tool implementation.
• To demonstrate how digital navigators can enhance the use of apps in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes the integration of a digital navigator as a new care team member.
• This role involves evidence-based app evaluation, technology troubleshooting, and data summarization.

Main Results:

• Digital navigators can address challenges such as selecting appropriate apps.
• They can manage technology issues outside of patient visits, improving the therapeutic alliance.
• Summarizing digital data facilitates clinically actionable insights.

Conclusions:

• Digital navigators can bridge the gap between digital health potential and clinical reality.
• This role supports effective and efficient integration of digital tools into patient care.
• Implementation of digital navigators can enhance both quality of and access to care.