Primary Healthcare Workers’ Perspective on Using the Digital Management Information System for Non-communicable Diseases: A Qualitative Study from Western State in India

Abstract Introduction: Digital health interventions (DHIs) are implemented under various national health programmes to support the information system. Utilisation of these DHIs remains an issue at various levels due to different factors. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the healthcare providers’ perspectives regarding the use, efficacy, challenges and potential benefits of DHIs within the context of non-communicable diseases. Materials and Methods: The study used a cross-sectional qualitative study design with a grounded theory approach. An in-depth interview was conducted with health workers of randomly selected sub-centres (SCs) or Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM). A total of 27 front-line healthcare workers were purposively selected from 11 SCs and interviewed. The data were analysed through thematic coding. Results: The responses were categorised into two broad themes: Enablers and Barriers in utilising DHIs. Accessibility and usefulness, real-time data reporting and recording, enhanced service delivery, and quality emerged as major enablers for the use of DHIs, while challenges included software and technical-related issues, digital literacy, linguistic barriers, the existence of multiple data entry platforms, and data reliability. Conclusion: The study emphasises the implementation challenges faced by community health workers and the potential of DHIs to enhance their capacity, stressing the crucial need for integrated systems to ensure effective utilisation and sustainability.