Evaluation of mHealth Interventions in Wound Care: A Systematic Review Highlighting the Involvement of Informal Caregivers

Abstract

Introduction: Contemporary wound care (WC) complexities strain healthcare systems and challenge informal caregivers (ICs), especially in home settings. Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) offer real-time solutions, and telemedicine's rise emphasizes its potential to address these challenges. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate and synthesize existing literature on mHealth app interventions for WC, with a specific emphasis on understanding the involvement, impact, and contributions of ICs in these interventions.Material and Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Articles were sourced from three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL), focusing on WC via mHealth with IC involvement. Quality assessment tools, including the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Collaboration tool, were used to ensure high research standards.Results: Upon meticulous examination of the articles, a mere six accurately aligned with the primary objectives of the research. Modern strides in healthcare technology have undeniably augmented both patient care and education. Several studies from different nations have delved into various wound categories, including pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, and burns. The participant count in these scholarly investigations fluctuated between 15 and 70. Remarkably, among these six, only a single study concentrated on ICs.Conclusion: Wound management requires an integrated technology, education, and IC training approach. Our review suggests that research on mHealth app interventions for ICs in WC needs to be more represented in global literature. Given this gap, we advocate for enhanced joint efforts to ensure that WC advances with digital healthcare without overlooking the IC population.