Community Health Programs Delivered Through Information and Communications Technology in High-Income Countries: Scoping Review

Hannah Beks; Olivia King; Renee Clapham; Laura Alston; Kristen Glenister; Carol McKinstry; Claire Quilliam; Ian Wellwood; Catherine Williams; Anna Wong Shee

doi:10.2196/26515

Community Health Programs Delivered Through Information and Communications Technology in High-Income Countries: Scoping Review

J Med Internet Res. 2022 Mar 9;24(3):e26515. doi: 10.2196/26515.

Authors

Hannah Beks¹, Olivia King², Renee Clapham^{3

4}, Laura Alston^{1

5

6}, Kristen Glenister^{7

8}, Carol McKinstry⁹, Claire Quilliam⁷, Ian Wellwood¹⁰, Catherine Williams², Anna Wong Shee^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
² Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
³ St Vincents Health Australia, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Ballarat Health Services, Ballarat, Australia.
⁵ Colac Area Health, Colac, Australia.
⁶ Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
⁷ Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Wangaratta, Australia.
⁸ Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Shepparton, Australia.
⁹ La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia.
¹⁰ Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Ballarat, Australia.

PMID: 35262498
PMCID: PMC8943572
DOI: 10.2196/26515

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has required widespread and rapid adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) platforms by health professionals. Transitioning health programs from face-to-face to remote delivery using ICT platforms has introduced new challenges.

Objective: The objective of this review is to scope for ICT-delivered health programs implemented within the community health setting in high-income countries and rapidly disseminate findings to health professionals.

Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review methodology guided the review of the literature.

Results: The search retrieved 7110 unique citations. Each title and abstract was screened by at least two reviewers, resulting in 399 citations for full-text review. Of these 399 citations, 72 (18%) were included. An additional 27 citations were identified through reviewing the reference lists of the included studies, resulting in 99 citations. Citations examined 83 ICT-delivered programs from 19 high-income countries. Variations in program design, ICT platforms, research design, and outcomes were evident.

Conclusions: Included programs and research were heterogeneous, addressing prevalent chronic diseases. Evidence was retrieved for the effectiveness of nurse and allied health ICT-delivered programs. Findings indicated that outcomes for participants receiving ICT-delivered programs, when compared with participants receiving in-person programs, were either equivalent or better. Gaps included a paucity of co-designed programs, qualitative research around group programs, programs for patients and carers, and evaluation of cost-effectiveness. During COVID-19 and beyond, health professionals in the community health setting are encouraged to build on existing knowledge and address evidence gaps by developing and evaluating innovative ICT-delivered programs in collaboration with consumers and carers.

Keywords: community health services; delivery of health care; information and communications technology; mobile phone; pandemics; telemedicine.

©Hannah Beks, Olivia King, Renee Clapham, Laura Alston, Kristen Glenister, Carol McKinstry, Claire Quilliam, Ian Wellwood, Catherine Williams, Anna Wong Shee. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 09.03.2022.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomedical Technology
COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Developed Countries
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control
Public Health*
SARS-CoV-2