Exploring Awareness, Adoption, and Perceived efficacy of Digital Health Apps among Healthcare professionals in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

This qualitative study includes 10-14 participants, which was determined based on the specific research question and the principle of data saturation. The aim is to gather in-depth insights and explore the nuances of digital health initiatives. Participants will include Medical officers, AYUSH doctors, ANM/GNM, ASHA workers, Community Health Officers, Community Health Workers, and other healthcare professionals as mentioned in the inclusion criteria. From January 2024 to June 2024, fieldwork will commence, involving visits to designated data collection sites. Health professionals in the area will be invited to participate in the study, with their consent being an essential prerequisite. Approximately 10 to 14 in-depth interviews will be conducted with these participants, till data saturation. The pool of interviewees will encompass a diverse range of healthcare personnel, including Medical officers, ASHA workers, Community health workers, ANM/GNM, and Community Health Officers, among others.  The interviews will be conducted by the primary researcher in an environment free from distractions. These interviews will follow a structured format, probing for information on various aspects, such as the awareness and utilization of health apps, the facilitators and barriers to their use, and the perceived impact of these apps in extending health services. Each interview is expected to span between 30 to 45 minutes in duration. A specially designed in-depth interview guide (IDI) will be utilized to maintain consistency across interviews. When necessary, questions will be translated from English to the local language (Hindi) to ensure clarity and understanding. All face-to-face interviews with key informants and stakeholders will be conducted following a thorough informed consent process. During these interviews, data will be digitally recorded using a voice recorder, and note-taking will be employed to capture additional insights. All data collected will be securely stored on an encrypted hard disk drive, and it will remain confidential until the completion and publication of the study. This approach ensures the protection of participant privacy and the integrity of the data collected throughout the research process.