Assessing the Value of Digital Health Interventions: A Systematic Review of Evaluation Frameworks and Approaches, Key Dimensions and Criteria.
Abstract
Objectives
Digital Health Interventions (DHIs) are systematically developed digital solutions that address key healthcare challenges such as accessibility, efficiency, and quality of care. These interventions optimize healthcare processes and benefit multiple stakeholders. Despite their increasing significance, the evaluation of DHIs remains complex due to their multidimensional impacts and value contribution. This review aims to identify and synthesize value assessment frameworks (VAFs) and further evaluation approaches for DHIs, focusing on value dimensions, value criteria, and methodological diversity.
Method
This systematic review was reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Eligibility criteria were defined using the PICO framework. Two independent reviewers screened and selected studies. A qualitative synthesis categorized approaches and extracted value dimensions.
Results
A total of 2,061 records were screened, with 97 studies meeting inclusion criteria. The review identified a diverse set of evaluation approaches, including checklists, scorecards, and multidimensional VAFs. While checklists and scorecards provided structured decision-making tools, comprehensive frameworks incorporated multiple value dimensions of DHIs. Key value dimensions included impact on subject (e.g., clinical benefit), impact on interaction (e.g., usability), impact on system (e.g., interoperability), and impact on society (e.g., public perception).
Conclusion
The review identified key dimensions and associated value criteria across existing frameworks and approaches, providing a structured overview of how DHIs are assessed in current practice. These findings highlight the importance of multidimensional evaluation and may support the development of more structured approaches for assessing DHIs, thereby enhancing comparability and informing value-based decision-making.