Barriers and facilitators to digital health adoption: a thematic analysis of healthcare professionals’ perspectives in rural Oyo State, Nigeria

Digital health innovations offer opportunities to strengthen healthcare systems, particularly in underserved areas. However, the experiences of healthcare professionals in rural Nigerian settings remain underexplored. Understanding their perspectives is essential to evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of digital technologies in low-resource environments This study explored the lived experiences of healthcare professionals in rural Oyo State to identify the barriers and facilitators influencing digital health adoption. This qualitative descriptive study involved semi-structured interviews with 25 purposively sampled healthcare professionals across Iddo and Akinyele Local Government Areas in Oyo State, Nigeria. Interviews were conducted virtually and transcribed verbatim. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached. Transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework, supported by NVivo software. Dual coding was performed to ensure analytical rigor, and COREQ guidelines were followed throughout the study. Seven key themes were identified: access to digital tools, infrastructural and technological challenges, community engagement, government and professional support, workplace dynamics, training and development, and workforce capacity. Barriers included unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, outdated technology, limited training, and staffing shortages. Facilitators involved NGO and government support, solar-powered equipment, increasing community acceptance, and access to localized training. Digital health implementation in rural Nigeria is shaped by infrastructural, social, and policy-related factors. Overcoming these barriers will require sustained infrastructure investment, capacity building, and multisectoral collaboration. The findings offer practical insights to inform policy, training, and technology integration strategies that are responsive to local contexts.