# Person-centred approach is important in digital health development > Person-centred approach is important in digital health development. ## Introduction The person-centred approach has been a prominent focus of research in recent years, as it is considered to have a positive impact on health promotion and outcomes (McCormack et al. 2015). As healthcare becomes increasingly digitalized, the importance of a person-centred approach is emphasized in the development of digital health solutions that support users and promote their agency and inclusion in managing their own health and well-being (WHO 2021). The foundation of person-centredness lies in respecting the uniqueness of each individual, with a strong emphasis on involving the person in decisions about their own life (Waters & Buchanan 2017). In the context of healthcare, person-centredness highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches. While healthcare professionals play a central role in patient interactions and the implementation of health-related interventions and guidance, the broader structures and stakeholders operating within the healthcare ecosystem are also essential in developing practices that promote person-centredness (McCormack et al. 2015). At its core, the person-centred approach is built on the creation of a supportive culture within the ecosystem that contributes to the implementation of these practices. This culture fosters shared values and goals, which are translated into shared practices that provide practical means to support professionals in delivering person-centred care (Edgar et al. 2020). ## Digital Health and Human-Centred Design Digital health is a broad concept that encompasses not only digital solutions but also the operational models and processes through which healthcare is delivered. While digital tools play a significant role—ranging from self-care applications to comprehensive systems that support healthcare providers—digital health extends beyond technology alone (WHO 2023). In developing digital health solutions, human-centred design is essential. It focuses on understanding users’ needs and creating solutions collaboratively with both users and other stakeholders (Landry 2020). It is also important to recognise that digital health functions as its own ecosystem, requiring contributions from a wide range of actors across development, implementation, and service delivery (Aguirre-Duarte, 2024). ## Research Methodology and Findings This thesis stems from a curiosity to understand how the person-centred approach is currently realized in a client organization that operates in the health care sector, providing comprehensive ICT-services to health care providers. The data were collected through semi-structured group interviews and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. A total of 13 volunteers from the client organization participated in the study. Five themes were identified: * In person-centred approach various aspects need to be considered * The patient is mostly identified as a central actor of operations by acknowledging them using different methods * Understanding and clarifying various needs should guide development * The goal is to deploy digital health solutions that are easy to use, flexible, accessible and safe * There are internal factors in the company’s operation culture that both support and hinder the implementation of person-centred approach ## Discussion and Recommendations To further support the implementation of a person-centred approach within the client organization, a cross-cutting perspective is needed. A key challenge identified is the presence of silos. Although the person-centred approach appears to be somewhat reflected at both strategic and operational levels, siloed structures hinder open and effective collaboration between different units and the experts within them. Furthermore, there is a challenge of communication between healthcare organizations and stakeholders involved in digital health development. Building an ecosystem that embraces both the person-centred approach and digitalization requires a culture that shares common visions and goals among all stakeholders, including policy-makers. Finally, the research revealed a lack of competence in person-centred approaches. Operations and organizational culture could be enhanced by providing training and education for experts in person-centred approaches. There is a clear need for scientific research to explore how and by what methods stakeholders could most effectively be educated about the person-centred approach. ## Authors * **Pauliina Kämäräinen**, Master of Global Public Health, Savonia University of Applied Sciences * **Maria Luojus**, Principal lecturer, Savonia University of Applied Sciences ## References * Aguirre-Duarte, Nelson. 2024. Connecting the Dots: Digital Ecosystems and Interoperability’s Essential Role in Achieving Integrated care and Person-Centred care. An influential analysis of applied research in practice. 10.13140/RG.2.2.24895.32166. * Edgar, D., Wilson, V. & Moroney, T. 2020-05-13. Which is it, person-centred culture, practice or care? It matters. International practice development journal. 10(1). 1-17. doi:10.19043/ipdj.101.008 * McCormack B., Borg M., Cardiff S., Dewing J., Jacobs G., Janes N., Karlsson B., McCance T., Mekki T.E., Porock, D., van Lieshout F. & Wilson V. 2015. Person-centredness – the ‘state’ of the art. International practice development journal. 5, Special Issue on Person-centredness, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.19043/ipdj.5SP.003 * Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö. 2023. Digitaalisuus sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon kivijalaksi Sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon digitalisaation ja tiedonhallinnan strategia 2023–2035. Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön julkaisuja 2023:32. * Waters, R.A.& Buchanan, A. 2017. An exploration of person-centred concepts in human services: A thematic analysis of the literature. Health Policy. 121(10), 1031-1039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2017.09.003 * World Health Organization. 2021. Global strategy on digital health 2020-2025. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. * World Health Organization. 2023. Classification of digital interventions, services and applications in health: a shared language to describe the uses of digital technology for health, second edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.