Call to digital health leaders: test and leverage this guideline to support health information technology implementation in practice.

Abstract

Background: Health information technology (HIT) is increasingly used to enable health service/system transformation. Most HIT implementations fail to some degree; very few demonstrate sustainable success. No guidelines exist for health service leaders to leverage factors associated with success. The purpose of this paper is to present an evidence-based guideline for leaders to test and leverage in practice.

Methods: This guideline was developed from a literature review and refined by a set of eight interviews with people in senior HIT roles, which were thematically analysed. It was refined in the consultancy work of the first author and confirmed after minor refinements.

Results: Five key actions were identified: relationships, vision, HIT system attributes, constant evaluation and learning culture.

Conclusions: This guideline presents a significant opportunity for health system leaders to systematically check relevant success factors during the implementation process of single projects and regional/national programmes.