Assistive technology for improving access to primary care in India: a scoping review

Introduction Access to quality healthcare remains a challenge in low-and middle-income countries. Vulnerable populations with unmet needs face the greatest challenge in accessing primary care for appropriate and timely healthcare. The use of assistive technologies can not only strengthen health systems but also improve access to health care, particularly for the vulnerable. This scoping review aims to assess the various assistive technologies available for improving access to primary care for the vulnerable in India. Methods This scoping review employed the Joanna Brigg Institute’s (JBI) guidelines and Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. The literature search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science–Core Collection, Scopus, AgeLine, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group Specialised Register databases, using the keywords, such as ‘Access’, ‘Healthcare’, ‘Assistive technology’, ‘Vulnerable’, ‘India’ and ‘Healthcare technology’. A two-staged screening of titles and abstracts, followed by full-text was conducted independently by two reviewers, using the Rayyan software. Subsequently, the data was extracted from selected studies using a pre-designed and approved extraction form. The data was then synthesised and analysed narratively. The protocol for this review has been registered with open science forum (OSF) registries (). Results The search yielded about 3840 records, 3544 records were eligible for screening of titles and abstracts. We included seven studies after a two-round screening and identified seven different technological innovations developed to bridge gaps in access to primary care. The commonly used assistive technologies for improving access to primary care were virtual tele-health systems and mHealth applications in-built within an android smartphone or a tablet. Assistive technology was either used as a standalone tele-health aid or a collaborative system for community workers, primary care physicians as well as the health service users. The purpose of these innovations were to increase awareness and knowledge to access support for specific aspects of healthcare. Virtual primary health care with the specialist in the hub supporting general physicians at the primary health centres in blocks and districts was another such model used for improving access to primary care. Assistive technology was also used for mass community screening of disabilities, such as persons with hearing disability. Conclusions To re-imagine a digitally empowered health systems in India, also inclusive of the vulnerable, it is important to inclusively conceptualise, systematically develop and rigorously evaluate any public health interventions including those that are enabled by assistive technology to bridge the gaps in access to primary care in India. Such a strategy could address the paucity of evidence in public health interventions and provide sustainable strategies to strengthen health systems in India. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This review was funded and written as part of the research for the Lancet Citizens’ Commission on Reimagining India’s Health System. The Lancet Commission has received financial support from the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore Azim Premji Foundation, Infosys Kirloskar Systems Ltd. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Serum Institute of India. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Lancet Citizens’ Commission or its partners. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This is a Scoping review registered with OSF and ethics approval is not applicable. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data and related metadata underlying the findings is reported and available within this manuscript.