Mapping the Landscape of Digital Health Usage in Information Systems Research

Abstract

This study investigates the use of digital healthcare in information systems (IS) research, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of the conflation of related terms. The lack of an agreement on the definition of "digital healthcare usage" in research within this domain complicates assessing its impact. A conceptual framework is essential to clarify these terms and facilitate further investigation of digital health in IS. Through a combined quantitative and qualitative analysis of 5510 carefully identified articles from the IS literature, we outlined the landscape of digital healthcare usage. This groundwork is a crucial stepping stone for understanding technology integration and users’ engagement, pivotal for sustainable digital health development. The analysis revealed evolving trends in digital health research, shifting from utility, usability, and user-centric design to sustainability, privacy, and security considerations. The proposed framework not only provides clarity in terminology but also serves as a foundation for future research. This study is instrumental in guiding future IS research.