Exploring the Operational and Technical Changes in the Healthcare Sector During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2023 Oct 20:309:277-281. doi: 10.3233/SHTI230796.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the healthcare sector globally including Sweden, creating subsequent operational and technical changes to the wide range of digital healthcare services utilized by healthcare professionals or end consumers. A qualitative study using a self-assessment survey based on the national health services digital maturity assessment was used to study these changes from the perspective of personnel working in Swedish healthcare-related organizations. The number of 30 respondents was selected using purposive sampling, out of them 11 responded. The study highlighted positively perceived changes such as boosting digitalization, improving the procurement process, and introducing crisis management teams. Improving the offered digital services, the tools' effectiveness, efficiency, and technical support were also some of the results. On the contrary, the negatively perceived changes were limiting access to the services, limiting technical support, and reprioritizing non-essential services and projects.

Keywords: COVID-19; Digital healthcare-related services.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Group Practice*
  • Health Care Sector
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Pandemics