Mapping methodologies for economic assessment of digital health technologies: a scoping review protocol

Digital health technologies (DHTs) have emerged as transformative tools capable of improving healthcare delivery, reducing costs and enhancing patient care. Despite their potential, the integration of DHTs into healthcare systems is challenged by the lack of clear frameworks for evaluating their cost-effectiveness. Economic evaluations are crucial to guide the adoption and financing of these technologies. However, conventional frameworks often fail to address the unique characteristics and complexities of DHTs fully. This scoping review aims to map the existing frameworks for economic evaluation of DHTs and identify methodological approaches that can inform and guide future assessments.

We will conduct a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and report findings according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews guidelines. A systematic search will be conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Business Source Complete) and grey literature sources for studies published since 2015. Included studies must focus on health technology assessment or economic evaluation frameworks tailored to DHTs, addressing economic evaluation methodologies. The data will be extracted using a customised template, and a narrative summary, along with descriptive statistics, will be employed to synthesise the findings.

Since this review involves publicly available data, ethical approval is not required. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at relevant conferences. This review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating DHTs into healthcare systems, influencing policy and guiding future research in health economics.