Usage of Smartphone Apps in Self-care of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Scoping Review

Mohamad Jebraeily; Mehrdad Dehghani; Mostafa Sheykhotayefeh; Mahdi  Habibi-Koolaee

doi:10.18502/ahit.v2i2.7993

Mohamad Jebraeily Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Mehrdad Dehghani Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Mostafa Sheykhotayefeh Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran.
Mahdi Habibi-Koolaee Department of Education, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ahit.v2i2.7993

Keywords: Smartphone; Mobile Application; Hemodialysis; Self-care; Self-management

Abstract

Aim: Using smartphone apps can be a valuable tool for self-managing dialysis patients. This study aimed to review the usage of smartphone apps in the self-care of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Method: Resources were searched on three bibliographic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, investigated from May 2005 through May 2021, using key terms, such as smartphone apps, mobile health, hemodialysis, chronic kidney disease, self-care, and self-management. Selecting articles were based on the PRISMA flow diagram.

Results: The smartphone apps used for undergoing hemodialysis patients were categorized into five main categories. These categories included dietary monitoring, treatment adherence, lifestyle management, symptoms monitoring, and patient training.

Conclusion: Smartphone apps must be developed by cooperation and supervision of healthcare agencies to improve patient adoption and ensure confidentiality. Further research efforts are needed to assess the impact of apps on quality of life outcomes through randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. In developing apps, the needs and preferences of patients must be considered.