Leaders' perspectives on learning health systems: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Innovation
• Health Informatics
• Translational Science

Background:

• Digital health data integration can transform healthcare delivery for improved efficiency and effectiveness.
• The learning health system (LHS) model leverages routine service and patient data for continuous healthcare improvement.
• This study aimed to identify key features for a successful and sustainable LHS within an Academic Health Science Centre.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore critical success factors for implementing a sustainable learning health system (LHS).
• To inform the development of an LHS framework within an Academic Health Science Centre context.
• To identify essential components for integrating digital health data into routine healthcare improvement.

Main Methods:

• Purposive sampling of leaders experienced in healthcare data innovation.
• Conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with key stakeholders.
• Thematic analysis of interview data using NVivo software.

Main Results:

• Five integral themes for an effective, sustainable LHS emerged: systematic learning, broad stakeholder engagement, skilled workforce, sustained resources, and optimized data access/systems.
• Continuous learning and implementation of new evidence into practice are fundamental.
• Effective LHS requires strong governance, trust, transparency, co-design, and leadership.

Conclusions:

• This qualitative study offers insights into sustainable LHS elements from healthcare leaders.
• Key findings emphasize the importance of continuous learning, stakeholder engagement, workforce capacity, investment, and data infrastructure.
• Results will inform a co-designed framework to accelerate the use of routine health data for improved healthcare delivery and outcomes in Australia.