A scoping review of mobile apps for use with palliative patients in the context of home care

Abstract

Context Progress in mobile technology, especially the use of applications for mobile devices, can support the process of monitoring patients in palliative care (therapeutics), controlling symptoms, or providing self-care guidelines for the user, namely patients or caregivers.

Objectives To map the available knowledge regarding the use of applications for mobile devices to support adult patients in palliative care at home.

Methods Literature review, based on the Joanna Briggs Institute model(s) for Scoping Review. All articles published until October 27, 2022, were identified in the electronic databases MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Cochrane Library, and Scopus using the respective Boolean logical operators and key terms.

Results A total of 634 articles were identified, and a final 24 studies were included. Eleven mobile device applications were identified, demonstrating different aspects of design, use, and technological development. These have incorporated the most recent technology in their functionalities.

Conclusion Mobile applications can be considered a viable and effective means of monitoring patients in palliative care. However, these applications must go beyond the academic scenario in which they were developed and move toward widespread use in practice, allowing the evaluation of the impact of this “new” intervention modality to understand their effectiveness and the application of best practices.