Telehealth Interventions for Patients with Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorder during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Systematic Review

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of social distancing and public fear of the virus postponed follow-up visits to manage patients' underlying medical problems, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Telehealth provides accessible and cost-effective care for vulnerable patients. The aim of this early study was to review the telehealth interventions for patients with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders during COVI-19 outbreak.

This study used rapid review to provide an accurate review of the articles. Study selection was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guideline. A systematic review was conducted on studies published from January 2020 to   July 30, 2020, in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, and the update was done on October 31, 2020

Technology-based interventions were performed in various countries: two studies in the USA, three in Europe (Italy, Germany, and London), two in Asia (China and Pakistan), and one in South America. Most Telehealth approaches used in the included articles are video consultations using mobile applications such as Skype, face time, and regular phone calls. 

According to the results, the application of technology in the management of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders can be used to provide healthcare to patients regardless of distance, detection of disease, monitoring disease progression and complications, reducing healthcare costs, saving available resources, preventing readmission of patients, reducing the provider workload, and increasing family participation in disease management, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.