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Patel 1

Project 1: Critically Reviewing Literature

In the wake of the recent global pandemic, the healthcare sector witnessed
unprecedented adoption of digital technology and teleconsultation methods. This literature
review examines studies that delve into the integration of digital tools in healthcare during the
COVID-19 pandemic. Ranging from broad analyses of digital responses in public health to more
detailed examinations of telemedicine in primary healthcare to how people's behavior has
changed during the pandemic. Together, the literature offers valuable insights into how digital
technology is changing healthcare. The objective of this review is to combine critical findings
from these studies, providing a clear narrative on the evolution, challenges, and potential
future of digital health initiatives in the era of COVID-19.

An article published in 2020 by Budd et al. titled, “Digital technologies in the public-
health response to COVID-19” examines the integration of digital tools in managing the COVID-
19 crisis, emphasizing areas such as disease tracking and surveillance, case identification,
contact tracing, and public communication. The main findings emphasize the critical role digital
tools, such as smartphones, online datasets, and advanced computing, played in managing the
COVID-19 pandemic. This article is foundational in understanding the digital public health
landscape during the pandemic and sets the stage for subsequent studies, providing a
comprehensive overview of digital health interventions during a public health crisis, and acts as
a foundational reference in this area.

The article “An overview of technologies implemented during the first wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review” by Abd-Alrazaq et al. focuses on the initial wave of the
pandemic. This review details specific technological interventions, for instance, telemedicine
and digital communication platforms like Zoom that were implemented during the first phase of
COVID-19. The findings illustrate how these technologies were pivotal in maintaining healthcare
services during the pandemic amongst social distancing and lockdowns. This study expands
upon Budd et al.'s findings by delving into a more detailed exploration of specific digital
solutions, highlighting their immediate impact on healthcare delivery during the early stages of
the pandemic.

Another article on the topic is by Coves et al. called “Teleconsultation adoption since
COVID-19: Comparison of barriers and facilitators in primary care settings in Hong Kong and the
Netherlands.” This study compares barriers and facilitators of teleconsultation adoption in
primary care settings in Hong Kong and the Netherlands. The focus is on how teleconsultation
fits within different health systems and highlights the role of national policies and health
systems in influencing teleconsultation application. It also points out the organizational,
professional, and technological factors affecting implementation. This article builds upon the
broader context provided by the previous two by offering a more detailed analysis on
teleconsultation in primary care, its operational challenges, and its opportunities within
healthcare systems.
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The final article “Changes to Public Health Surveillance Methods Due to the COVID-19
Pandemic: Scoping Review” by Clark et al. provides an in-depth scoping review, examining the
evolution and adaptation of public health surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. It
specifically investigates the integration and impact of new technologies and innovative
methods in surveillance practices, highlighting the pandemic's role as a catalyst for significant
operational changes. This article adds critical dimension, significantly enriching existing
literature. It extends the discussion beyond that of digital health innovations and
teleconsultation, explored in other studies, by delving into the realm of public health
surveillance. This adds a vital layer to our understanding of how the health sector has adapted
and evolved in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Each of these articles builds upon its predecessors, progressing from a general overview
of digital public health strategies to more focused explorations of teleconsultation and public
health surveillance during the pandemic. Abd-Alrazaq et al. provides detailed insights into
specific digital technologies, Coves et al. delve into the systemic aspects of teleconsultation,
and Clark et al. focus on public health surveillance technologies, all of which collectively offer a
comprehensive understanding of the digital response to COVID-19. These studies also each
identify a specific niche within the broader context, addressing questions and gaps left in prior
research. This advancement demonstrates a clear and methodical expansion of knowledge in
this field. While Budd et al. establishes the broad role of digital technologies, the subsequent
articles identify specific areas (like teleconsultation and public health surveillance) that require
deeper exploration. This approach demonstrates a clear logical progression in research and
expansion of knowledge in this field.

Moreover, the literature reviews in these articles effectively summarize previous

research, providing context and background for their studies. This approach not only helps
contextualize their research within the existing findings, but also highlights how their unique
contributions will advance understanding in this field. In conclusion, these articles collectively
provide a comprehensive view of the role of digital health strategies and teleconsultation in
response to COVID-19, each adding a unique perspective that contributes to a deeper
understanding of the pandemic's challenges and the role of technology in addressing them.

My personal favorite of these articles is "Digital technologies in the public-health

response to COVID-19" by Budd et al. It stands out for several reasons, firstly, it is well-written
and uses clear, concise language that effectively communicates the complex ideas about digital
technologies in public health. It is also formatted in a manner that is easy to comprehend and
engaging. Moreover, this article provides an extensive overview of existing literature, not only
providing a thorough background but also setting the stage for future research in this field.
Lastly, the article clearly justifies the need for its review by highlighting the unprecedented
challenge posed by COVID-19 and the critical role of digital technologies in addressing it.
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References:

1. Budd, J., Miller, B. S., Manning, E. M. et al. (2020). Digital technologies in the public-
health response to COVID-19. Nature Medicine, 26(8), 1183–1192.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-1011-4

2. Abd-Alrazaq, A., Alajlani, M., Alalwan, A. A., Bewick, B. M., Gardner, P., & Househ, M.
(2021). An overview of technologies implemented during the first wave of the COVID-19
pandemic: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(9), e29136.
https://doi.org/10.2196/29136

3. Coves, A. F., Yeung, K. H. T., van der Putten, I. M., & Nelson, E. A. S. (2022).
Teleconsultation adoption since COVID-19: Comparison of barriers and facilitators in
primary care settings in Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Health Policy, 126(2022), 933–
944. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168851022002147?via
%3Dihub

4. Clark, E., Neumann, S., Hopkins, S., Kostopoulos, A., Hagerman, L., & Dobbins, M. (2024).
Changes to Public Health Surveillance Methods Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping
Review. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 10, e49185. https://doi.org/10.2196/49185