A qualitative study of Municipal healthcare leaders’ strategic perspectives on tech champions’ role in technology implementation

Background Strategic leadership—including guiding, supporting, and directing staff—is a critical determinant of successful technology implementation. Having tech champions is a recommended measure for leaders to support staff adoption of technology in their everyday practice. However, there is limited research on leaders’ perspectives on tech champions’ role as a strategic measure in technology implementation processes. This study aimed to explore healthcare leaders’ strategic perspectives on tech champions’ role in technology implementation processes in municipal healthcare. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten healthcare leaders in municipal healthcare, representing six Norwegian municipalities. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis based on Braun and Clarke’s (2022) descriptions. Results The analysis of municipal healthcare leaders’ strategic perspectives on tech champions’ role in technology implementation revealed three interrelated themes: 1) leading the technology implementation process, 2) strategically allocating staff resources, and 3) seeking specific qualities in tech champions. Conclusions Healthcare leaders’ perspectives on tech champions are based on considerations regarding the type of technology, leaders’ own capacity and competences and those of their staff, and individual champion competencies. Tech champions are perceived as healthcare leaders’ representatives, performing transformative leadership roles without dedicated time, compensation, or job descriptions.