Digital Saturation Assessment in healthcare systems based on SEA Model

Abstract

The increasing integration of digital and information systems in healthcare has significantly improved efficiency, coordination, and access to services. However, growing dependency on these systems may also introduce systemic vulnerabilities, leading to conditions conceptualized as digital saturation. While prior research has identified the mechanisms through which digital systems contribute to disruption, there remains a lack of practical tools for assessing this phenomenon at the organizational level.

This study aims to develop and validate a structured checklist-based instrument for assessing digital saturation in healthcare organizations, grounded in the Stability–Efficiency–Adaptability (SEA) model. The study adopts a multi-phase design, beginning with the generation of checklist items derived from previously identified disruption factors, including digital dependency, workflow integration, reversibility, infrastructure reliability, cybersecurity, and AI-related limitations. These items are subsequently refined through a Delphi-based consensus process involving experts from clinical, technical, and managerial domains.

The resulting checklist is designed to enable systematic and periodic evaluation of digital system vulnerability across healthcare settings. In addition, a scoring framework is proposed to support the quantification of digital saturation levels and facilitate comparison across organizational units.

By translating conceptual insights into an operational assessment tool, this study contributes to bridging the gap between digital health research and practice, providing healthcare organizations with a practical mechanism for identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing interventions, and