A Qualitative Study Exploring Digital Transformation in the South African Public Health System

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Digital transformation is the new era that ushers in the use of digital technologies to disrupt the traditional way of completing tasks in personal and workplace environments. This transformative process has affected every industry, with healthcare not being an exception. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of healthcare professionals towards digital transformation to determine the following: the extent of digital transformation within one healthcare institution, as well as the benefits and barriers to the adoption of digital transformation. METHOD: The study design was semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals from one tertiary hospital in Gauteng. The study adopted a qualitative methodology. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and the theme codes were generated manually. RESULTS: A total of 16 interviews were conducted and the standout points were that all the participants believed that digital transformation would benefit and help improve processes and operations within the institution. While digital transformation is believed to be beneficial, there is the problem of poor buy-in from the healthcare professionals as they are of the opinion that there are far more pertinent issues that need to be addressed before the focus can be on digitally transforming the public healthcare system. CONCLUSION: The study was able to determine the extent of digital transformation in that currently there is work being done to interconnect public health institutions within Gauteng to reduce duplication and gear towards continuation of care. The main barriers identified towards successful digital transformation was the lack of financial resources, lack of proper network infrastructure and lack of adequate staff training – issues which, if properly addressed, could ensure that the pathway to transformation is easier.