A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Technology in the Care of Historically Marginalized Populations With Asthma: A Work...

Health care technology strategies are increasingly being used in research and clinical care in asthma. The use of technology in addressing asthma disparities has not been reported.

To determine the effect of technology in historically marginalized racial and ethnic populations with asthma.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify studies that included the use of health technology in patients with asthma from historically marginalized populations. Authors reviewed studies to determine study characteristics and intervention efficacy according to predetermined outcome measures. Studies were categorized as generalized, unidirectional, or bidirectional according to the degree to which they used personalized participant data.

A total of 1516 studies were initially identified, with 44 studies included in the final analysis. Most studies included a majority Black population, followed by Latino population. Bidirectional studies that collect patient-specific data and provide tailored recommendations, education, or treatment options were most effective as compared with generalized and unidirectional studies. No specific technology methodology was found to be superior to others, though technology modalities that used personalized participant data and allowed for bidirectional information exchange were more effective than those that relied on generalized data.

Health care technology strategies can provide an avenue to decrease asthma disparities in historically marginalized populations.