A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries

Haythem Nakkas; Philip Scott

doi:10.3233/SHTI250742

A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries

Haythem Nakkas^*, Philip Scott

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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Abstract

Introduction: Digital Health Systems (DHS) have the potential to enhance healthcare in developing countries, but challenges such as political instability, cultural resistance, poor infrastructure, and workforce limitations hinder successful implementation.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, in-depth interviews (n=25), and surveys (n=350), was employed to develop the Network of Influence Framework (NIF).

Results: The refined NIF identifies critical success factors such as brain drain, capacity building, evidence-based practices, and organizational memory. It emphasizes the complex interplay of enablers and barriers, where leadership and regulatory frameworks are often hindered by systemic issues, including infrastructure gaps and resistance to change.

Conclusions: To successfully implement DHS in developing countries, context-specific solutions addressing both enablers and barriers are necessary. Future research should explore the interdependencies between these factors to develop sustainable, inclusive strategies for to help improving healthcare delivery in developing countries.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Global Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics
Editors	John Mantas, Arie Hasman, Parisis Gallos, Emmanouil Zoulias, Konstantinos Karitis
Publisher	IOS Press BV
Pages	377-381
Number of pages	5
ISBN (Electronic)	9781643686004
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI250742
Publication status	Published - 26 Jun 2025
Event	23rd Annual International Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare, ICIMTH 2025 - Athens, Greece Duration: 4 Jul 2025 → 6 Jul 2025

Publication series

Name	Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
Volume	328
ISSN (Print)	0926-9630
ISSN (Electronic)	1879-8365

Conference

Conference	23rd Annual International Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare, ICIMTH 2025
Country/Territory	Greece
City	Athens
Period	4/07/25 → 6/07/25

Keywords

adoption
critical success factors
Developing countries
digital health systems

Access to Document

10.3233/SHTI250742

A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countriesFinal published version, 218 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

Nakkas, H., & Scott, P. (2025). A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries. In J. Mantas, A. Hasman, P. Gallos, E. Zoulias, & K. Karitis (Eds.), Global Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics (pp. 377-381). (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics; Vol. 328). IOS Press BV. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI250742

Nakkas, Haythem ; Scott, Philip. / A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries. Global Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics. editor / John Mantas ; Arie Hasman ; Parisis Gallos ; Emmanouil Zoulias ; Konstantinos Karitis. IOS Press BV, 2025. pp. 377-381 (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics).

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abstract = "Introduction: Digital Health Systems (DHS) have the potential to enhance healthcare in developing countries, but challenges such as political instability, cultural resistance, poor infrastructure, and workforce limitations hinder successful implementation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, in-depth interviews (n=25), and surveys (n=350), was employed to develop the Network of Influence Framework (NIF). Results: The refined NIF identifies critical success factors such as brain drain, capacity building, evidence-based practices, and organizational memory. It emphasizes the complex interplay of enablers and barriers, where leadership and regulatory frameworks are often hindered by systemic issues, including infrastructure gaps and resistance to change. Conclusions: To successfully implement DHS in developing countries, context-specific solutions addressing both enablers and barriers are necessary. Future research should explore the interdependencies between these factors to develop sustainable, inclusive strategies for to help improving healthcare delivery in developing countries.",

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Nakkas, H & Scott, P 2025, A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries. in J Mantas, A Hasman, P Gallos, E Zoulias & K Karitis (eds), Global Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, vol. 328, IOS Press BV, pp. 377-381, 23rd Annual International Conference on Informatics, Management, and Technology in Healthcare, ICIMTH 2025, Athens, Greece, 4/07/25. https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI250742

A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries. / Nakkas, Haythem; Scott, Philip.
Global Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics. ed. / John Mantas; Arie Hasman; Parisis Gallos; Emmanouil Zoulias; Konstantinos Karitis. IOS Press BV, 2025. p. 377-381 (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics; Vol. 328).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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AU - Nakkas, Haythem

AU - Scott, Philip

PY - 2025/6/26

Y1 - 2025/6/26

N2 - Introduction: Digital Health Systems (DHS) have the potential to enhance healthcare in developing countries, but challenges such as political instability, cultural resistance, poor infrastructure, and workforce limitations hinder successful implementation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, in-depth interviews (n=25), and surveys (n=350), was employed to develop the Network of Influence Framework (NIF). Results: The refined NIF identifies critical success factors such as brain drain, capacity building, evidence-based practices, and organizational memory. It emphasizes the complex interplay of enablers and barriers, where leadership and regulatory frameworks are often hindered by systemic issues, including infrastructure gaps and resistance to change. Conclusions: To successfully implement DHS in developing countries, context-specific solutions addressing both enablers and barriers are necessary. Future research should explore the interdependencies between these factors to develop sustainable, inclusive strategies for to help improving healthcare delivery in developing countries.

AB - Introduction: Digital Health Systems (DHS) have the potential to enhance healthcare in developing countries, but challenges such as political instability, cultural resistance, poor infrastructure, and workforce limitations hinder successful implementation. Methods: A mixed-methods approach, including a systematic literature review, in-depth interviews (n=25), and surveys (n=350), was employed to develop the Network of Influence Framework (NIF). Results: The refined NIF identifies critical success factors such as brain drain, capacity building, evidence-based practices, and organizational memory. It emphasizes the complex interplay of enablers and barriers, where leadership and regulatory frameworks are often hindered by systemic issues, including infrastructure gaps and resistance to change. Conclusions: To successfully implement DHS in developing countries, context-specific solutions addressing both enablers and barriers are necessary. Future research should explore the interdependencies between these factors to develop sustainable, inclusive strategies for to help improving healthcare delivery in developing countries.

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Nakkas H, Scott P. A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries. In Mantas J, Hasman A, Gallos P, Zoulias E, Karitis K, editors, Global Healthcare Transformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Informatics. IOS Press BV. 2025. p. 377-381. (Studies in Health Technology and Informatics). doi: 10.3233/SHTI250742

A conceptual framework for a successful adoption of digital health systems in developing countries

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