Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39982931›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Use and impact of digital technology in supporting health providers deliver care in low- and low-middle-income countries: A systematic review protocol.

Adam T Craig, Harriet Lawford, Maggie Miller, Liuyi Chen-Cao, Leanna Woods, Siaw-Teng Liaw, Myron A Godinho

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Adam T CraigCentre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9287-8755
Harriet LawfordCentre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9699-8201
Maggie MillerCentre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Liuyi Chen-CaoCentre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Leanna WoodsQueensland Digital Health Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Siaw-Teng LiawSchool of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Myron A GodinhoWestmead Applied Research Centre, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHealthcare providers are critical to the successful, sustainable and impactful implementation of digital health. Despite the growing interest, Digital Health Innovations (DHIs) are often implemented without sufficient evidence, leading to numerous short-lived projects and a limited understanding of their impact on health systems and outcomes. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a new Classification of Digital Health Interventions, identifying four core DHI user groups. This review aims to synthesise evidence on the impact of DHIs designed for one of these user groups-healthcare providers-on delivering health services in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).

methodsWe will conduct an umbrella review, analysing systematic reviews on DHIs for healthcare providers. Data will be extracted using deductive coding before being thematically analysed according to the 11 DHIs for service providers outlined in the WHO's 2023 Classification. DISCUSSION: This umbrella review will explore, synthesise, and evaluate the quality of evidence on how healthcare providers in LLMICs utilise DHIs to address service delivery challenges and their effectiveness. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive synthesis of evidence focused on DHIs designed for use by healthcare providers in LLMICs. It is also the first review to align with WHO's taxonomy for DHIs, as outlined in the WHO Classification of Digital Interventions, Services and Applications in Health. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol is being registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024586285).

Indexed as

Delivery of Health CareDigital TechnologyHealth PersonnelDeveloping CountriesHumansSystematic Reviews as TopicTelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID39982931
PMCPMC11845030

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.