Approach and attention to chronicity with digital technologies in health policies in Spain

e202406040

Abstract

BACKGROUND // From the healthcare policies that support Public Health strategies, technology implementation in healthcare is an innovative element to address chronicity. Its introduction is not uniform across Spain, despite of the existence of digital strategic implementation and national chronicity plans. The aim of this paper was to explore the current deployment of autonomic strategies for chronicity and the implementation of digital tools for telemonitoring and user support.
METHODS // A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through documental review of autonomous strategies in digital health and chronicity care, available until 2020. Consequently, a consultation was carried out to eighteen experts addressing autonomic availability, benefits and barriers to healthcare digitalization.
RESULTS // The expert consultation revealed that, in fifteen autonomous communities, the use and the enhancement of digital technologies were addressed and in nine the focus was on promoting digital transformation. Eleven communities are working on updates, fourteen have health-related digital applications, thirteen allow users checking their test results, ten allow them to carry out administrative procedures, nine deliver patient support resources, and three provide telematic communication channels. 38.89% of the consulted refered not knowing about the existence of any follow-up and monitoring programs in their community. The 60% identified a gap in digital competencies among citizens and the lack of resources, as main barriers to implementation.
CONCLUSIONS // There exists disparity in the update of strategies to address chronicity and the introduction of digital technologies. Many of them are currently updating, which is an opportunity to provide efficient responses that incorporate digital tools.