Research Implications for Future Telemedicine Studies and Innovations in Diabetes and Hypertension—A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

(1) Background: The objective of this study was to identify, categorize and prioritize current implications for future research in the use telemedicine for diabetes and hypertension in order to inform policy and practice decisions. (2) Methods: An iterative mixed methods design was followed, including three consecutive steps: An updated umbrella review of telemedicine effectiveness, qualitative content analysis of extracted data on current research needs and a quantitative survey with practitioners and health care researchers in order to prioritize the identified needs. (3) Results: Overall, 32 included records reported on future research implications. Qualitative content analysis yielded five categories as well as subcategories, covering a need for high quality studies, comprehensive technology assessments, in-depth considerations of patients’ characteristics, ethics and safety as well as implementation strategies. The online survey revealed that the most pressing future research needs are data security, patient safety, patient satisfaction, implementation strategies and longer follow-ups. Chi² statistics and t-tests revealed significant differences in the priorities of participants with and without experience in telemedicine use, evaluation and development. A factor analysis revealed six over-arching factors. (4) Conclusion: These results may help learning from mistakes previously made and may serve as key topics of a future telemedicine research agenda.

Sauerbruch, STARPAHC, and SARS: Historical Perspectives on Readiness and Barriers in Telemedicine

“…Therefore, a holistic assessment of the environment into which the technology is to be implemented is more important than the latest technological development (Hastall et al 2017). Consequently, implementation strategies, soundly based on adequate methods of user participation, are the most pressing future research needs in the field of telemedicine (Timpel and Harst 2020).…”

“…Thus, there is a lack of a holistic as well as a longterm assessment of telemedicine projects (Hastall et al 2017). Here, historical cases using different technology can provide a long-term perspective often missing in current studies (Timpel and Harst 2020).…”

Effectiveness of Digital Counseling Environments on Anxiety, Depression, and Adherence to Treatment Among Patients Who Are Chronically Ill: Systematic Review

“…However, many of the studies that have been reviewed suffer from methodological shortcomings, that is, insufficient power to detect changes in outcomes and relatively short study duration [ 31 ]. This has led to a fragmented knowledge base, and a comprehensive description of the available digital health solutions—along with their effectiveness—is needed to further develop counseling for patients who are chronically ill. Research implications for future eHealth studies have recently been identified, categorized, and prioritized [ 48 ]. For example, randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies with large sample sizes and long follow-up periods, along with investigations of the cost-effectiveness and user acceptance of eHealth interventions, should be conducted in the near future.…”

“…Furthermore, decision-makers will need an improved understanding of which components of the studied interventions, for example, frequency, duration and delivery mode, or patient characteristics, contribute most to the overall effectiveness of an eHealth intervention. Ethical aspects, intervention safety, and translation of findings into a practical context were also identified as necessary research elements [ 48 ].…”

The Role of Lifestyle, Eating Habits and Social Environment in the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension

“…Another important topic raised in the special issue by three articles was the use of telemedicine and electronic health programs. In this regard the umbrella review by Timpel et al [ 22 ], which gathered data from reviews and metanalyses regarding the use of telemedicine, highlighted the improvements needed in future telemedicine studies to more effectively prevent diabetes and hypertension. Regarding use of e-health programs, two papers by Tragomalou et al, a review and an intervention study, revealed the effectiveness of these programs on both prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors.…”