Factors Affecting Telehealth Consultation in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review

The global rise in diabetes highlights the need for innovative healthcare solutions. This scoping review is aimed at identifying and categorizing patient-reported facilitators and barriers influencing the use of telehealth consultations among people living with diabetes.

A systematic scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Four databases-PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar-were searched from inception to July 31, 2025.

Included studies were original research or review articles published in English or Persian that examined patient-reported facilitators and barriers influencing the use of telehealth among people living with diabetes.

Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. Data were extracted using a predesigned form and synthesized thematically into facilitators and barriers.

Of 1673 identified records, 72 met inclusion criteria. Facilitators were grouped into four themes: process (e.g., time and cost savings), structural (e.g., system usability), communication (e.g., improved access), and attitudinal factors (e.g., awareness). Barriers included infrastructure limitations, digital literacy, privacy concerns, and resistance to change.

Telehealth offers significant potential for diabetes management, but systemic and individual-level barriers must be addressed. Policymakers and healthcare providers should address patient-reported barriers while strengthening key facilitators to improve the adoption and sustainability of telehealth services in diabetes care.