E-health - Potentialities and challenges for health professionals and patients: Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: E-health is based on information and communication technologies in health and has been implemented and developed all over the world. Objective: to identify the scientific and available evidence on the use of the e-health policy, evaluating the potential and the challenges that it poses to health professionals and patients. Method: Integrative literature review, through research in PubMed, b-on and CINAHL databases. We considered for inclusion in the study, randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials and observational studies, written in English and Portuguese, published within the last 10 years and available in full text. Results: 356 studies were found, 8 studies were included in this review in which health professionals and patients recognize the importance and benefits of e-health, in various aspects. The self-management of heart disease has great potential in e-health, being one of the most studied areas in this context. The Covid-19 pandemic has further demonstrated the benefits of e-health. Conclusions: It was identified that the potential of e-health is evident in various contexts, whether in terms of diagnosis, disease monitoring and consultation environment. There is still a way to go in promoting self-care in patients with acute and/or chronic illness through the long-term e-health strategy, recognizing its benefits in maintaining the disease by the user.