Real-World Mobile Health Implementation and Patient Safety: Multicenter Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Services Research
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Mobile health (mHealth) offers portability and communication benefits but lacks discourse on patient safety in real-world, home-based care settings.
• Current mHealth implementation extends beyond traditional centers, necessitating a deeper understanding of safety implications.
• Limited research exists on healthcare professionals' perspectives regarding mHealth patient safety in diverse healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore healthcare professionals' views on mHealth patient safety in Hong Kong SAR and Wuhan.
• To identify challenges and facilitators for safe mHealth integration in real-world clinical practice.
• To understand the impact of different healthcare system structures on mHealth safety perceptions.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter qualitative study design was employed.
• Individual interviews were conducted with 27 participants (22 nurses, 5 physicians) from two distinct healthcare systems.
• Thematic analysis was utilized to interpret the collected data.

Main Results:

• Participants raised concerns about liability in mHealth implementation.
• Key themes included the necessity for effective change management, encompassing referral processes, resources, and informed usage.
• Professionals stressed the importance of ensuring patient comprehension and enhancing information security through updated regulations.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals acknowledge patient safety as crucial for reliable and sustainable mHealth adoption.
• Standardization of mHealth services, supported by institutions and policymakers, is essential.
• Fostering acceptance among professionals is vital for appropriate referrals, managing changes, ensuring patient understanding, and mitigating security risks.