Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mHealth adoption: Identification of the main barriers through an international comparative analysis

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly challenged health systems worldwide. The adoption and application of mHealth technology emerged as a critical response. However, the permanent implementation and use of such technology faces several barriers, which vary by each country’s innovation level and specific health policies. This study provides a detailed analysis of the transformations in mHealth service implementation within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives

The study analyses the changes to mHealth service implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to identify the main uses of technology in mHealth, to assess their level of adoption, and to address any barriers found. It also aims to compare different countries to understand how factors such as geographical location and public health policies affect mHealth status worldwide.

Methods

The survey tool was a revised version of the World Health Organization (WHO) 2015 Global Survey on eHealth, which had been updated to reflect the latest advances and policy priorities. The 2022 Survey on Digital Health in the WHO European Region was conducted by the WHO between April and October 2022 to gather information from the Member States of that region.

Results

This study shows that across the countries analysed, significant variations occurred in mHealth service adoption during the pandemic. Teleconsultation, access to patient information, and appointment reminders were the most implemented services, highlighting the importance of remote care during health crises. Regional differences were identified regarding barriers such as privacy and security and patient digital literacy, underscoring the need to address such shortcomings. These conclusions have important implications for stakeholders in the digital health sector and emphasise the need for collaboration to address the identified challenges.