2021 WHRI Digital Health Survey

Thank you for your interest in the 2021 WHRI Digital Health Survey.

Between June to September 2019, the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) conducted an initial digital health survey among clinicians, researchers, administrative staff, and students within the WHRI network. The 2019 survey provided preliminary data on ongoing digital health projects and revealed gaps and priorities for a future digital health hub.

Beginning in March 2020, the spread of COVID-19 resulted in lockdowns and other restrictions, motivating a rapid uptake of digital solutions to provide health care services to patients at home. In response, BC Women’s Hospital has invested in new positions dedicated to virtual health, supporting synergies between clinical and research programs. The Office of Virtual Health (OVH) at the Provincial Health Services Authority has also organized committees to develop frameworks and processes for integrated communication between research and health system implementation streams for digital health technologies. WHRI sits on the Virtual Health Advisory Committee and will be a key contributor in advising and evaluating digital health projects under the new research process.

With this context, WHRI is conducting a second-round digital health survey to understand the use of digital tools by WHRI members during the pandemic and to set priorities for digital health, post-pandemic.

The objectives of the 2021 WHRI Digital Health Survey are:

To understand the use of digital tools among WHRI members during the pandemic.
To understand the range and scope of ongoing and new digital health research projects by WHRI members.
To identify how WHRI can support existing digital health projects and catalyze new women’s health research in digital health.

Your responses will directly inform WHRI’s digital health strategy and shape the type of resources or services provided to members. The results of the survey will be summarized in a report and shared with WHRI members and stakeholders.

Participants who complete the survey will be entered in a raffle for a $100 gift card. The survey should take 10-15 minutes of your time. We appreciate your time in taking this survey.

Are you a WHRI member?

Yes

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Are you a trainee?

Yes

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Which of the following best describes your research role?

Principal investigator

Affiliated investigator (e.g., co-I)

University staff affiliated with WHRI

Administrative staff

Clinical staff

Research staff/Professional staff (e.g., research project assistant, coordinator, manager)

Clinical fellow/Trainee (post-MD)

Postdoctoral fellow

Graduate student (master's or doctoral)

Student (includes undergraduate & medical students)

Other

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Please describe what "Other" relationship you have with the WHRI.

Please indicate your first and last name:

What sex were you assigned at birth, meaning on your original birth certificate?

Male

Female

Intersex

Prefer not to answer

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Which best describes your gender identity? (select one)

Man

Woman

Non-binary or agender

Other gender diverse

Prefer not to answer

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DIGITAL HEALTH SCAN

"Digital Health" is an umbrella term used to describe the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to areas of health, health care and wellbeing. The term encompasses eHealth, mHealth, as well as emerging areas such as the use of advanced computing sciences in 'big data', genomics, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Some examples of digital health technologies or tools include websites, mobile apps, wearables or sensors, telemedicine, or any other digital technology used in a digital health intervention for clients, healthcare providers, health system management, and/or data services.

Which of the following describes your involvement in digital health research projects during COVID-19? (select all that apply)

* must provide value

Started a new digital health research project during the COVID-19 pandemic

Continued an existing digital health research project over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic

Have stopped a digital health project as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Not involved but interested in exploring opportunities to incorporate digital health technologies in my current research project

Not involved but interested in starting a new digital health research project

Not involved and do not intend to be involved in a digital health research project

How many NEW digital health projects have you started during COVID-19?

How many EXISTING digital health projects have you continued during COVID-19?

What is the name of the new digital health project started during COVID-19?

What technologies does the new digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

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Which category best describes this digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

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Can you identify all the target user groups who use the digital health technology in the new project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this new digital health project?

What is the name of the SECOND new digital health project started during COVID-19?

What technologies does the SECOND new digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the SECOND new digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

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Which category best describes this SECOND new digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

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Can you identify all the target user groups who use the SECOND new digital health technology in the new project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the SECOND new digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the SECOND new digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this SECOND new project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term for the SECOND new project? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this SECOND new digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this SECOND new digital health project?

What is the name of the THIRD new digital health project started during COVID-19?

What technologies does the THIRD new digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the THIRD new digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

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Which category best describes this THIRD new digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

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Can you identify all the target user groups who use the THIRD new digital health technology in the new project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the THIRD new digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the THIRD new digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this THIRD new project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term for the THIRD new project? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this THIRD new digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this THIRD new digital health project?

What is the name of the FOURTH new digital health project started during COVID-19?

What technologies does the FOURTH new digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the FOURTH new digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

reset

Which category best describes this FOURTH new digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

reset

Can you identify all the target user groups who use the FOURTH new digital health technology in the new project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the FOURTH new digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the FOURTH new digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this FOURTH new project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term for the FOURTH new project? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this FOURTH new digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this FOURTH new digital health project?

What is the name of the existing digital health project that you continued through COVID-19?

What technologies does the existing digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the existing digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

reset

Which category best describes this digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

reset

Can you identify all the target user groups who use the digital health technology in the existing project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology or tool, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this existing digital health project?

What is the name of the SECOND existing digital health project that you continued through COVID-19?

What technologies does the SECOND existing digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the SECOND existing digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

reset

Which category best describes this SECOND existing digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

reset

Can you identify all the target user groups who use the digital health technology in the SECOND existing project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology or tool, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the SECOND existing digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the SECOND existing digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this SECOND existing project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term of the SECOND existing project? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this SECOND existing digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this SECOND existing digital health project?

What is the name of the THIRD existing digital health project that you continued through COVID-19?

What technologies does the THIRD existing digital health project use? (select all that apply)

Mobile application

Website

Patient monitoring tools like devices, wearables, or sensors

Health information technology (e.g., EMR/EHR, electronic prescribing)

Telemedicine

Computing big data

Computing genomics

Virtual reality

Artificial intelligence

Other

Please describe "Other" technology used.

What phase is the THIRD existing digital health project currently in?

Planning

Development underway

Feasibility/usability testing

Piloting

Demonstration of effectiveness

Planning for implementation

Implementation ongoing

Scaling up, sustainable integration

reset

Which category best describes this THIRD existing digital health intervention?

Intervention for clients (where clients are members of the public)

Intervention for health care providers

Intervention for health system or resource managers (e.g., supply chain management, health financing, HR management)

Intervention for data services (related to data collection, management, use and exchange)

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Can you identify all the target user groups who use the digital health technology in the THIRD existing project? (select all that apply)

"Users" are individuals who directly use the technology or tool, either to deliver health services (e.g. health care providers, administration staff, etc.) or to receive services (e.g. patients or clients).

Patient population

Families of patients

Health care providers

Hospital administration staff

Other

Please describe "Other" target users.

Briefly, please describe how the THIRD existing digital health technology or tool is used by each user group (e.g., to deliver or receive health services).

What are the desired outcomes of the THIRD existing digital health project?

Did you use vendors for this project? If yes, which vendors did you use and what services did they provide? (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

How is this THIRD existing project funded? (select all that apply)

Grants/awards

Programmatic operations from PHSA

Hospital operations

Industry funds

Physician engagement funds

Foundation/donor funds

Corporate and venture investors

Digital Super Cluster

Other

Please describe "Other" funding sources.

How long is the funding term of the THIRD existing project? (If known please indicate start and end date of funding term.)

What are some challenges that you faced while working on this THIRD existing digital health project?

What are some enablers that contributed to success for this THIRD existing digital health project?

You indicated that you stopped a digital health project during COVID-19. What specific challenges did you encounter that resulted in your research project from stopping?

What resources do you currently use or go to for digital health support?

Do you consent to be contacted by the Digital Health Research Manager to discuss your project further?

Yes

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If you selected yes, please enter your email address:

What types of digital tools have you used during the pandemic (e.g., since March 2020) for your research or clinical practice? (select all that apply)

Video conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom, Skype)

Digital polling for conferences (e.g. Sli.do)

Electronic health records

Electronic consent forms

Digital project management tools (e.g. Asana, Trello, Slack)

Digital survey tools (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, Survey Monkey)

Remote desktop platforms or other virtual private networks

Mobile apps

Other

I have not used digital tools for my research or clinical practice since March 2020

What are the names of the digital tools you have used for research described in the previous question?

How has the use of digital tools in your research or practice changed now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic?

My use of digital tools has decreased greatly

My use of digital tools has decreased slightly

My use of digital tools is the same

My use of digital tools has increased slightly

My use of digital tools has increased greatly

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Have you encountered challenges and barriers implementing these tools in your research or practice? Please explain.

Has anything else changed in the way you conduct your digital health research because of COVID-19? Please explain. (e.g., new project developments, adopted new workflow, digital communication, etc.)

Not at all helpful

Slightly helpful

Somewhat helpful

Very helpful

Extremely helpful

Providing expertise on digital health evaluation and implementation research

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Continually informing members about digital health research funding opportunities

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Providing a platform for digital health researchers to share their projects (e.g., through our website, social media pages, conferences)

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Providing a digital health research best practices resource page on the WHRI website

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Helping members access a network of digital health experts and innovators

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Clearly communicating processes for transitioning research into implementation at BC Women's Hospital

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Helping researchers find vendors (e.g., web or app developers, graphic designers, etc.)

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Helping researchers manage vendor relationships

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Is there anything else WHRI can do to support existing digital health projects and catalyze new women's health research in digital health?

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