Ms. Surabhi R S will present her MTP2 as per the details:

Date: 24th June 2026

Time: 1200 - 1300 hrs.

Venue: Online (Google Meet)

Link: https://meet.google.com/xuu-rgbb-dvj

Dial-in: (US) +1 216-930-9049

PIN: 521 306 594#

Title: Assessment of Digital Readiness in Public Health Facilities in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Guide: Prof. Kuru Dindi

Examiners: Prof. Sanjay Chahande, Dr Prem Singh

Abstract: 

India’s public health system is undergoing rapid digital transformation through national-level initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and state-level programmes such as Rajasthan’s Integrated Health Management System (IHMS). Patient data, from registration and diagnosis to treatment and drug dispensing, is systematically getting recorded and linked to unique health identifiers. Despite this backend digitisation and ABDM’s vision of being a citizen-centric digital health ecosystem, patients remain passive participants, with limited access to their own health data.

This mixed-method study, carried out in six public health facilities in Jaipur, Rajasthan, explored the feasibility of a community-facing module for the IHMS, Rajasthan, by examining digital readiness, awareness of digital health initiatives, willingness to engage with and preferences regarding the features of such a module. The study also explored the experiences of PHC staff and ASHA workers with existing digital platforms to identify system-level opportunities and challenges relevant to implementation. Digital readiness was assessed through the van Dijk Framework of Successive Access, and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framed the analysis of barriers to adoption and feature preferences.

The findings revealed that the community has access to digital devices but limited capabilities to make full use of those devices and engage with digital health interventions. Awareness of ABDM and related digital health initiatives was low; however, participants expressed a strong interest in accessing their digital health information and a willingness to engage with digital systems. Lack of awareness about digital health initiatives emerged as the primary barrier, followed by preference for in-person services. Participants favoured printed copies and hybrid modes over purely digital modes. Access to personal health information, prescriptions, and laboratory reports emerged as the highest priority feature in a potential community module, over options to search for doctors, speciality facilities, or online appointment booking. Interviews with frontline health workers highlighted the benefits of digitisation for workflow efficiency, informal learning capabilities and efficient grievance redressal, while also identifying challenges related to hybrid paper-digital workflows, infrastructure reliability, limited public awareness, and application fragmentation.

Overall, the study concludes that the success of a community-facing IHMS module depends not just on infrastructure and technological development but also on enabling citizens to participate meaningfully with it. A phased and inclusive implementation strategy that prioritises access to personal health information, allows access to data through hybrid pathways, and addresses gaps in awareness and digital skills would prove to be effective in achieving equitable adoption.

Keywords: digital health, digital readiness, community-facing module, patient access to health records, van Dijk framework, Technology Acceptance Model