Exploring Technology Domains for Diabetes Care and Management under Pandemic: A preliminary scoping review

Abstract

Objective: Technology innovation emerged in diabetic care and management during COVID-19. To tackle emerging opportunities, this scoping review aims to analyze current technology used for diabetic care by employing WHO technology initiatives to reveal technology use potentials for future research and development.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a review following PRISMA. We initiated a search of related terms for peer-reviewed publications in PubMed and Web of Science, including those themed in diabetic care and management and published in English.

Results: We reviewed 42 articles following the guidance of WHO technology conceptualization, including mHealth (12%), eHealth (76%), and dHealth (12%). These initiatives are used to reveal six areas of technology utilization for diabetes care during the pandemic, including (1) social media; (2) sensor; (3) teleconference; (4) virtual care; (5) artificial intelligence; and (6) data mining.

Discussion: Based on the identified dimensions related to technology and health, we presented seven diabetes-related health events and their associations with technologies. Implications such as technology’s association with diabetes disease progression, technology diagramming for interdisciplinary collaboration, and technology features for health outcomes provide direction for future research and development.

Conclusion:  This review illustrates current technology utilization in diabetes care during the pandemic. It also uncovers innovation opportunities across technology and diabetic healthcare domains and provides direction for future pursuits in academia and practice.