Barriers and challenges of using health information technology in home care: A systematic review

Despite the benefits of applying Information technology (IT) in-home care some challenges may affect the quality of the services. To deal with these challenges, it is required to identify them before providing such services. Therefore, the aim of this study is to systematically determine the challenges and barriers of using health IT in-home care. Moreover, the possible solutions reported in the included studies were examined.

We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for studies published between January 2010 and January 2020. For quality assessment of the included articles the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and the Effective Public Health Practice Project checklists were used. The Supporting the Use of Research Evidence (Supporting the Use of Research Evidence (SURE)) framework was used to categorise the identified barriers and challenges.

Of 1755 retrieved studies, 47 studies were included. The main barriers and challenges based on the SURE framework were categorised to Facilities (n = 35), Legislation or regulations (n = 19), Knowledge and skills (n = 18), Attitudes regarding programme acceptability, appropriateness and credibility (n = 16), Financial resources (n = 10), Motivation to change (n = 9), and External communication (n = 8). Studies mostly provided solutions regarding challenges related to the usability and functionality of the applied technology.

The results of this study can help policy-makers and managers of health care organisations to be informed regarding the existing barriers, and implement safer and more effective home care systems. Awareness regarding barriers and potential challenges can help to provide optimal IT-based interventions and facilitate providing home services.