A Case Study to Explore Barriers and Facilitators to the Digitalization of Hospitals in Pakistan.

Abstract

The global healthcare system is faced with challenges, including an aging population and increasingly growing co-morbidities, communicable and chronic diseases. Enhanced patient care and experience can be achieved by shifting the healthcare industry to digitalization. However, the digitalization of hospitals in low-middle-income countries is still premature compared to developed countries due to multifaceted challenges. This study explores the current state of digitalization of hospitals in a low-middle-income country, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews with healthcare industry stakeholders were conducted to gain an in-depth understanding. The study's findings revealed the current state of digitalization in Pakistan, highlighting barriers such as inadequate resources, improper hospital classification, lack of data sharing media, and absence of financing facilities, as well as facilitators such as the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare staff training.