Computer technology for self-management: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Technology is transforming healthcare delivery and personal health management.
• Computer-based systems empower individuals with chronic diseases for self-management.
• These systems offer reminders and symptom monitoring to indicate potential health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore computer-based systems for chronic disease self-management.
• To evaluate system goals, success, and technological value-add.
• To identify the target audience for these self-management technologies.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of literature was conducted.
• Databases searched included CINAHL, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore.
• The Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition (SAMR) model assessed technology integration value.

Main Results:

• Research spanned 13 countries, identifying five platform types for self-management systems.
• System focus varied, with some targeting specific disease processes and others being more general.
• The review analyzed system types, goals, success rates, and technological value.

Conclusions:

• Effective self-management systems must integrate robust self-management components.
• Systems should provide users with meaningful health state information for optimal wellness.
• Clinicians should select systems based on design, components, and alignment with patient goals.