Short answer

Integrate health equity considerations into every phase of digital health design and implementation, guided by a structured conceptual framework.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: PLOS Digital Health (2024)
Method: Conceptual model development through literature review and synthesis.
Evidence: Strong effect

A new conceptual model, DH-EquIR, provides a framework for designing and implementing digital health technologies that are inclusive and accessible to diverse populations. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2024 study published in PLOS Digital Health. Using Conceptual model development through literature review and synthesis., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate health equity considerations into every phase of digital health design and implementation, guided by a structured conceptual framework.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentStrong effect

Conceptual Model Guides Equitable Digital Health Implementation

A new conceptual model, DH-EquIR, provides a framework for designing and implementing digital health technologies that are inclusive and accessible to diverse populations.

PLOS Digital Health · 2024

Key Findings

01The DH-EquIR model organizes concepts into key groupings: population health status, planning the program, designing the program, implementing the program, and equity-focused implementation outcomes.
02The model explicitly incorporates patient and program-related concepts crucial for digital equity and assessing social/digital determinants of health.

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate health equity considerations into every phase of digital health design and implementation, guided by a structured conceptual framework.

How to apply

Use the DH-EquIR model's conceptual groupings as a checklist during the design and planning phases of digital health projects to ensure equity is addressed.

Project actions

01When designing a digital product, think about who might be left out and how you can include them.
02Use frameworks like DH-EquIR to systematically consider different aspects of user needs and potential barriers.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a conceptual model that integrates principles of health equity into the implementation research of digital health technologies.

MethodConceptual model development through literature review and synthesis.

ProcedureThe DH-EquIR model was constructed by merging the EquIR model with digital equity and digital health implementation models. This involved appraising existing theoretical frameworks, models, and equity-sensitive implementation studies, and analyzing 62 articles related to digital health equity, digital health implementation, and social/digital determinants of health.

ContextDigital health implementation and health equity research.

Variables

IVIntegration of health equity principles into digital health implementation frameworks.

DVSuitability and uptake of digital health technologies in diverse populations.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive literature review informing the model's development.
+Focus on a critical and growing area of digital health implementation.

Limitations

The model is theoretical; its practical effectiveness needs to be tested in actual design projects.

Reliability & validity

The reliability and validity of the DH-EquIR model are established through the rigorous synthesis of existing literature and theoretical frameworks. However, empirical validation through its application in diverse real-world settings would further strengthen its practical validity.

Think critically

How might the DH-EquIR model be adapted or expanded to address emerging digital health technologies, such as AI-driven diagnostics or virtual reality therapies?

Design Principles

"Design for inclusivity and equity by systematically addressing diverse user needs and social determinants of health throughout the product lifecycle."

As digital health solutions become more prevalent, ensuring equitable access and usability is critical. This model helps designers and implementers proactively address potential disparities, leading to more effective and widely adopted health technologies.

What This Means for Your Design

This research created a map (a conceptual model) to help people build digital health tools that work well for everyone, no matter their background or access to technology.

How to use in your project

1.Reference the DH-EquIR model when discussing the importance of inclusive design and how you addressed potential equity issues in your design process.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of the DH-EquIR conceptual model by Groom et al. (2024) offers a valuable framework for ensuring that digital health technologies are designed and implemented with a strong emphasis on health equity. This model systematically guides designers and implementers through key stages, from planning to outcomes, by integrating considerations for diverse populations and social determinants of health, thereby promoting more inclusive and accessible digital health solutions.

Source

PLOS Digital Health

Construction of the Digital Health Equity-Focused Implementation Research Conceptual Model - Bridging the Divide Between Equity-focused Digital Health and Implementation Research

journal · 2024

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about conceptual model guides equitable digital health implementation?: Integrate health equity considerations into every phase of digital health design and implementation, guided by a structured conceptual framework. Evidence: PLOS Digital Health (2024).
Why does "Conceptual Model Guides Equitable Digital Health Implementation" matter for design?: As digital health solutions become more prevalent, ensuring equitable access and usability is critical. This model helps designers and implementers proactively address potential disparities, leading to more effective and widely adopted health technologies.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate health equity considerations into every phase of digital health design and implementation, guided by a structured conceptual framework.
What were the main findings?: The DH-EquIR model organizes concepts into key groupings: population health status, planning the program, designing the program, implementing the program, and equity-focused implementation outcomes.. The model explicitly incorporates patient and program-related concepts crucial for digital equity and assessing social/digital determinants of health.
What research method was used?: Conceptual model development through literature review and synthesis..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2024 journal from PLOS Digital Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Use the DH-EquIR model's conceptual groupings as a checklist during the design and planning phases of digital health projects to ensure equity is addressed.
What are the limitations?: The model is conceptual and requires empirical validation through its application in real-world digital health implementation projects.