Just eHealth! An action research of eHealth implementation in addiction care

Background

The existence of eHealth does not naturally lead to an integration into addiction treatments. Professionals’ (lack of) technological competences, contextual factors, and integration in care as usual form critical factors for successful implementations.
In our work, we provide insights into the (1) adoption readiness and technology competences of addiction care professionals, as well as (2) factors involved in three eHealth implementation projects to ultimately develop implementation strategies.

Method

We conducted a (1) survey to investigate the adoption readiness and technology competences among addiction care professionals (n = 334), and (2) based on the NASSS implementation framework, we identified complexities and opportunities of eHealth implementation in focus groups and interviews with professionals, as well as patients using a Participatory Action Research (PAR). PAR contributes to autonomy and active involvement of stakeholders though a role as co-researchers.

Key Findings

(1) Our preliminary findings indicate that addiction care professionals reported moderately positive on various constructs of adoption of technology. Furthermore, results vary between limited and moderate basic technology competences, while scores of in-depth competences were moderately negative. (2) Through our PAR with professionals, specific implementation strategies were developed. Preliminary findings using the NASSS framework, complexities, and opportunities will be discussed and presented.

Discussion and Conclusion

We present two studies as part of a bigger eHealth implementation project. The findings indicate a moderate willingness to adopt technology, but the technological competences of professionals need improvement. Our findings and the analysis of complexities and opportunities will aid future eHealth implementation processes.