Telemedicine interventions for heart failure dyads: a scoping review protocol.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this review is to identify and map the available evidence on interventions for heart failure dyads through telemedicine.

Introduction: Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition that requires significant lifestyle changes and daily support from informal caregivers. Due to the shared burden of care, the patient-caregiver dyad should be treated as a single unit in the management of the disease. Although telemedicine interventions for dyads are increasing, their application for dyads with heart failure remains largely unexplored, revealing a critical gap in the field.

Inclusion criteria: We will include all quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies focusing on adult dyadic interventions for heart failure delivered via telemedicine. Studies involving dyads who do not share the same household will also be considered. Dyadic interventions aim to reduce discrepancies between patients and caregivers in their approach to the disease (dyadic appraisal), foster greater collaboration in planning appropriate responses to the disease (dyadic behavior), and improve the overall health status of both individuals (dyadic health). These interventions can be provided by various health care professionals using any device.

Methods: The scoping review will be conducted according to JBI methodology for scoping reviews. We will comprehensively search electronic databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase. Gray literature will also be considered. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies according to predefined criteria. Data extraction will be performed using a customized tool. Review findings will be analyzed and displayed using charting techniques in table format.

Review registration: Open Science Framework: osf.io/nwafp.