Barriers and enablers to adopting digital collaboration tools among healthcare professionals in Finland : a case study

Abstract

This thesis examines the barriers and enablers influencing the adoption of digital collaboration tools among healthcare professionals in Finland, with a specific focus on Helsinki University Hospital (HUS). The study responds to the growing need for effective digital communication and collaboration in healthcare, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using qualitative case study approach, the research draws on semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals and lecturers to identify key factors affecting adoption. The study applies established change management and technology adoption methods, such as Kotter´s 8-steps model, ADKAR, TAM and Clinical Adoption Framework, to interpret the findings. The thesis concludes with practical recommendations for healthcare organisations, emphasizing the importance of leadership engagement, tailoring training strategies, and inclusive planning to ensure successful digital transformation. The findings reveal that while digital collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Sharepoint and Outlook have significantly improved work efficiency, communication, remote work, and document management, several challenges persist. These include insufficient leadership support, unequal access to tools, limited time for skill-building, and frequent technical updates of the tools.