Toward a Harmonized Definition of Digital Health Technologies for Use in Health Technology Assessment: A Scoping...

The objectives of this study are to map definitions of digital health, eHealth, mHealth, telehealth, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence to further expand an existing conceptual map to distinguish between these terms and propose a harmonized definition for "digital health technologies."

A scoping review was conducted to identify definitions of digital health, eHealth, mHealth, telehealth, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and EconLit were searched between January 2015 and May 2024. A 2-round modified Delphi, informed by the scoping review, was undertaken to develop a harmonized definition of digital health technologies (DHTs). Numerical summary analyses were performed for identified definitions and Delphi responses, and thematic and content analyses were applied to the definitions and free-text responses.

The search yielded 11,041 records, of which 482 articles were included after screening and snowballing. A total of 328 definitions were identified for digital health, eHealth, mHealth, telehealth, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence. Higher number of definitions were identified for the term telehealth/telemedicine. Across the definitions, 3 key components consistently emerged: purpose, users, and underlying technology. Round 1 of the Delphi received 118 complete responses, and round 2 received 54. Consensus was achieved on the key components, their subcomponents, and the final definition of DHTs.

This study proposes a unified definition of DHTs, grounded in the components of purpose, users, and technology. Recognition of AI within the definition reflects its growing role in digital health. This definition provides a foundation for developing classification criteria that support consistent health technology assessment of DHTs.