Leveraging Digital Health Tools Within Project Portfolio Management for Scalable Community-Based Care

Abstract

The integration of digital health tools into healthcare project portfolio management (PPM) has emerged as a transformative strategy to address systemic challenges in community-based care, particularly in underserved populations. This study explores how digital health tools, including electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health (mHealth) applications, telemedicine platforms, and predictive analytics, can enhance scalability, improve care coordination, and promote sustainability in healthcare delivery. Employing a qualitative research design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 healthcare professionals engaged in community health initiatives across three states in Nigeria with significant health disparities. The findings demonstrate that digital tools significantly improve communication, optimize resource allocation, and enable real-time decision-making within PPM frameworks. However, persistent barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and insufficient training, hinder seamless integration. This research offers actionable insights for healthcare leaders, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to leverage digital transformation to optimize community-based care, emphasizing the need for robust training programs and infrastructure investments.