Establishing a digital healthcare ecosystem in a Health Sciences University in South Africa: A mixed-method study (Preprint)

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

BACKGROUND Comprehensive and formalized digital healthcare ecosystems in health sciences tertiary education in South Africa do not currently exist, but has the potential to influence teaching and learning, research, and community engagement. OBJECTIVE Three key objectives underpin the study, i.e., determining the healthcare curriculum needs and required content for the development of a formalized digital health ecosystem; determining the level of readiness of staff and students to participate in a digital healthcare ecosystem; and determining whether community engagement and strategic partnerships can contribute to the sustainability of a digital healthcare ecosystem. METHODS As a multipronged approach will be used to address the objectives, a mixed-method design will be undertaken. Qualitative phases will be phenomenological in nature. Quantitative data will be collected prospectively and cross-sectionally. Sampling will include subject experts for Delphi-methods; staff and students at the University; clinical training- and education partners; and community leaders. This study has received ethical approval from the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Research and Ethics Committee (SMUREC/H/260/2023:PG). RESULTS Descriptive statistical analysis, i.e., means, medians, frequencies and percentages will be used to analyze results from the quantitative components of the trial. Triangulation of information and thematic analysis will be used to analyze the qualitative components of the trial. Data collection will begin in January 2024. CONCLUSIONS The establishment of a digital healthcare ecosystem has the potential to benefit staff, students and communities through stakeholder collaboration, educational opportunities, research projects and provision of service delivery. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.