Development of a Contextualized, Research-Based Flemish Assessment Framework for Digital Care, Assistance, and...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health and Social Care
• Health Informatics
• Quality Management in Healthcare

Background:

• Digital technologies are transforming health, mental health, and social care delivery.
• Lack of consensus exists on defining and measuring high-quality digital care.
• Existing standards offer fragmented guidance on data security, interoperability, accessibility, sustainability, and professional competence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus-based quality assessment framework for digital care, assistance, and support in Flanders, Belgium.
• To integrate perspectives on technology, organizational processes, and professional competencies.
• To address the need for standardized quality evaluation in the rapidly evolving digital care landscape.

Main Methods:

• A multiphase design including expert interviews, a literature review, and a 3-round Delphi study with 50 experts.
• Integration of end-user, facilitator, technology developer, ethics, and digital inclusion expert perspectives.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback and descriptive statistics for quantitative data.

Main Results:

• A framework with 112 criteria across technology, organization, and professional competencies was developed.
• Accessibility, reliability, and safety were key technology criteria; vision and quality monitoring for organization; and support and digital competencies for professionals.
• The framework balances minimum requirements (77 criteria) and optional criteria (35 criteria), validated for comprehensiveness and usability.

Conclusions:

• A co-developed, context-sensitive framework for digital care quality assessment was produced.
• The framework serves as both a quality safeguard and a developmental roadmap, supported by practical tools.
• Successful implementation requires governmental support, resources, and continuous adaptation to maintain relevance.