Mapping respiratory health digital interventions in South and Southeast Asia: a scoping review

TL;DR

This study maps digital health interventions for respiratory diseases in South and Southeast Asia to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive scoping review of digital health interventions for respiratory diseases in the region, highlighting underutilized opportunities and ethical gaps.

Findings

Digital health interventions are mostly used for patient communication and tuberculosis is the most targeted disease.

Many interventions are pilot projects that do not adequately address regional respiratory health needs.

AI and machine learning show promise but lack ethical and equity guidelines.

Abstract

The growing burden of respiratory disease, particularly in Asia, where mortality is higher and awareness and policy engagement lag, could be mitigated through rapidly advancing digital health tools that offer opportunities for improved management, prevention, and personal health empowerment. We aimed to map the existing evidence, technologies, opportunities, and gaps related to respiratory digital health interventions in South and Southeast Asia and propose relevant recommendations.

We used a scoping review methodology, where we searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PakMediNet, and MyMedR along with grey literature databases (ProQuest Thesis and Dissertations, Digital Health Atlas, Global Digital Health Monitor, Global Index Medicus) for reports on any technological interventions for pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and environmentally induced respiratory disease (air quality, smoking). We used the World Health Organization’s Classification of Digital Health Interventions to categorise digital interventions and assessed how completely they were reported via the mHealth Evidence Reporting and Assessment checklist.

We extracted and analysed data from 87 studies conducted in 14 South and Southeast Asian countries and found that digital health interventions are primarily used for communication with patients and between patients and providers. Interventions targeting tuberculosis were the most numerous. There was a high prevalence of pilot interventions which failed to significantly address the respiratory health needs in the region. Artificial intelligence and machine learning interventions are promising, but lack clear guidelines and adherence to best ethical and equity practices.

We collated and synthesised information and knowledge about the current state of digital health interventions. Our findings can inform future interventions so that they are planned, deployed, scaled, and evaluated to have long-lasting positive impacts on population health.

Evans L, Evans J, Fletcher M, Abdullah A, Ahmed Z. Mapping Respiratory Health Digital Interventions in South and Southeast Asia: Protocol for a Scoping Review. 2024;13:e52517.

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