Integrating Digital Health into School Nursing for Food Allergy Management: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

Digital health tools improve knowledge and preparedness for managing food allergies in schools, but more research is needed on real-world outcomes.

Contribution

This systematic review identifies digital health as a potential equalizer in food allergy management within schools, especially in areas lacking formal nursing services.

Findings

Digital health interventions improve knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy in managing food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Most studies focus on educational and psychosocial outcomes rather than direct clinical effects.

Digital tools may reduce inequalities in allergy management and improve coordination between schools, families, and healthcare systems.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
Digital health interventions in school settings consistently improve knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy in food allergy and anaphylaxis management among school staff, parents, and children.Evidence on direct clinical outcomes remains limited, with most studies focusing on educational and psychosocial effects rather than real-world emergency performance.

Digital health interventions in school settings consistently improve knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy in food allergy and anaphylaxis management among school staff, parents, and children.

Evidence on direct clinical outcomes remains limited, with most studies focusing on educational and psychosocial effects rather than real-world emergency performance.

What are the implication of the main finding?
Digital health can act as a structural enabler to reduce inequalities in school-based food allergy management, particularly in contexts without institutionalized school nursing services.Integrating digital tools into school health frameworks may strengthen preparedness, inclusion, and coordination between schools, families, and healthcare systems.

Digital health can act as a structural enabler to reduce inequalities in school-based food allergy management, particularly in contexts without institutionalized school nursing services.

Integrating digital tools into school health frameworks may strengthen preparedness, inclusion, and coordination between schools, families, and healthcare systems.

Background: Food allergy [FA] is a growing public health concern among school-age children, with schools and childcare/daycare settings representing high-risk environments for accidental exposure and anaphylaxis. Objective: To systematically review evidence on digital health interventions supporting FA education, prevention, and management in school settings. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL was conducted to identify studies published between January 2015 and December 2025 [PROSPERO CRD420251185553]. Eligible studies evaluated e-learning, mHealth, or web-based programs targeting school staff, parents, or students. Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria. Digital health emerged as a catalyst for professional development, interprofessional communication, and health equity within school communities. Interventions consistently improved knowledge, preparedness, and self-efficacy in anaphylaxis management among school staff, strengthened parental empowerment and communication with schools, and supported coping and inclusion among allergic children. Evidence on clinical outcomes; however, remains limited. Conclusions: Digital health can meaningfully enhance school preparedness and reduce inequalities in allergy management. Integrating digital tools into national school health frameworks—particularly where school nursing is not yet institutionalized—may represent a pivotal step toward safer, more equitable inclusion of children with food allergy.

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