Applications and outcomes of implementing telemedicine for hypertension management in COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 presented a significant challenge for patients with hypertension in terms of access to care. However, telemedicine offered the healthcare system opportunities that had previously been underutilized. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review the applications and outcomes of telemedicine for hypertension management during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: A structured search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was limited to studies published from December 2019 until May 2023, resulting in a total of 3727 studies. After quality appraisal using the CASP checklists version 2018, 29 articles were included in the final review. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most of the studies reviewed had used the proprietary platforms (N = 14) and 11 studies had used public platforms such as social messengers or email. Also 9 studies relied on phone calls (N = 9) to record and transmit the clinical data. Some studies had applied two different approaches (proprietary/public platforms and phone). six articles (20.7%) focused only on hypertension control, while 23 articles (79.3%) examined hypertension as a comorbidity with other diseases. Also, the study identified 88 unique concepts, 15 initial themes, and six final themes for outcomes of using telemedicine for hypertension management during the COVID-19 pandemic. These themes include BP control, BP measurement and recording, medication management, mental health, care continuity and use and acceptance. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine provides patients with hypertension with the opportunity to engage in medical consultations in a more convenient and comfortable manner, with the same validity as in-person visits. Telemedicine facilitates the creation of a connected network to support patients with high BP at any time and in any location. Limitations and issues may arise due to patients and healthcare staff's unfamiliarity with telemedicine. These issues can be resolved through the ongoing use and continuous feedback.

Applications, opportunities, and challenges in using Telehealth for burn injury management: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Burns are global public health devastating and life-threatening injuries. Telehealth can be an appropriate answer for the effective utilization of health care resources, prevention referrals and reduce socio-economic burden of burns injuries. Thus, this study aimed to systematically evaluate the applications, opportunities, and challenges of using telehealth in burn injuries management. METHODS: A structured search was conducted according to PRISMA statement guidelines in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct as well as the Google Scholar for studies published until June 28, 2022. Of the total 2301 yielded studies, 36 articles were included in the final review. Quality appraisal was done according to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018. Thematic analysis was applied for data analysis. RESULTS: Patient triage, transfer, and referral (38.9%) follow-up (22%), care (22%), consultation (9%), education (3%), and rehabilitation (3%) were the most prevalent application of telehealth, respectively. Our findings identified 72 unique concepts, eight initial themes, and two clinical and administrative final themes for opportunities of using telehealth in burn injury management. Furthermore, we identified 27 unique concepts, three initial themes, and two clinical and administrative final themes for remaining challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Despite providing pivotal opportunities such as improving burn injury diagnosis and quality of care, increasing patient and provider satisfaction, and cost containment using telehealth in burn injuries management, the concept faces challenges such as the impossibility of the physical examination of patients and technological difficulties. Our findings provide valuable information for policymakers and decision-makers infield of burn injuries and effective planning for using telehealth technology.

Opportunities and Challenges of Telehealth in Disease Management during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unexpected universal problem that has changed health care access across the world. Telehealth is an effective solution for health care delivery during disasters and public health emergencies. This study was conducted to summarize the opportunities and challenges of using telehealth in health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A structured search was performed in the Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, for studies published until November 4, 2020. The reviewers analyzed 112 studies and identified opportunities and challenges. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocols. Quality appraisal was done according to the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018. Thematic analysis was applied for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 112 unique opportunities of telehealth application during the pandemic were categorized into 4 key themes, such as (1) clinical, (2) organizational, (3) technical, and (4) social, which were further divided into 11 initial themes and 26 unique concepts. Furthermore, 106 unique challenges were categorized into 6 key themes, such as (1) legal, (2) clinical, (3) organizational, (40 technical, (5) socioeconomic, and (6) data quality, which were divided into 16 initial themes and 37 unique concepts altogether. The clinical opportunities and legal challenges were the most frequent opportunities and challenges, respectively. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the use of telehealth. This study could offer useful information to policymakers about the opportunities and challenges of implementing telehealth for providing accessible, safe, and efficient health care delivery to the patient population during and after COVID-19. Furthermore, it can assist policymakers to make informed decisions on implementing telehealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing the obstacles ahead.