The complexity of transferring remote monitoring and virtual care technology between countries: lessons from an international workshop

Abstract

International deployment of remote monitoring and virtual care (RMVC) technologies would efficiently harness their positive impact on outcomes. Since Canada and the UK have similar populations, healthcare systems, and digital health landscapes, transferring digital health innovations between them should be relatively straightforward. Yet, examples of successful attempts are scarce. In a workshop, we identified six differences that may complicate RMVC transfer between Canada and the UK, and provide recommendations for addressing. These key differences include: 1) minority groups, (2) physical geography, (3) clinical pathways, (4) value propositions, (5) governmental priorities and support for digital innovation, (6) regulatory pathways. We detail four broad recommendations to plan for sustainability including: the need to formally consider how highlighted country-specific recommendations may impact RMVC and contingency planning to overcome challenges; the need to map which pathways are available as an innovator to support cross-country transfer; the need to report on and apply learnings from regulatory barriers and facilitators so that everyone may benefit; and explore existing guidance to successfully transfer digital health solutions while developing further guidance (e.g., extending the NASSS framework for cross-country transfer). Finally, we present an ecosystem readiness checklist. Considering these recommendations will contribute to successful international deployment and increased positive impact of RMVC technologies.