A systematic review of digital health interventions for the diagnosis and management of cancer in rural and remote Australia

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-09 DOI:10.1016/j.anzjph.2026.100325

Zemenu Yohannes Kassa , Allen G. Ross , Subash Thapa , Zekariyas Sahile Nezenega , Feleke Hailemichael Astawesegn , Cheru Tesema Leshargie , Setognal B. Aychiluhm , Meless G. Bore , Kedir Y. Ahmed

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This systematic review investigated the impact of digital health interventions including videoconferencing, telephone counselling, remote radiology assessment models and wearable activity tracker on cancer diagnosis and treatment in rural and remote Australia.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and PubMed from inception to 25 March 2025 to identify studies examining digital health interventions for cancer diagnosis and management among adults and children living in rural and remote Australia. Findings were synthesised using vote counting by digital health intervention type and outcome.

Results

Twenty studies were included. Of these, 12 were classified as beneficial and 8 showed a positive effect of digital health interventions for cancer diagnosis and management. Videoconferencing, telephone counselling and remote radiology assessment model improved access to care, reduced travel burden and costs and were generally associated with high patient satisfaction. However, communicating diagnostic results via telephone remained a persistent challenge.

Conclusions

Digital health interventions were found to improve patient satisfaction and reduce travel and relocation burdens and enhance access to cancer care in rural areas.

Implications for public health

To enhance the effectiveness of digital health interventions, integration of psychosocial support services is recommended to better meet the emotional and psychosocial needs of cancer patients.

查看原文本刊更多论文

对澳大利亚农村和偏远地区癌症诊断和管理的数字卫生干预措施进行系统审查

目的本系统综述调查了包括视频会议、电话咨询、远程放射学评估模型和可穿戴活动追踪器在内的数字健康干预措施对澳大利亚农村和偏远地区癌症诊断和治疗的影响。方法我们系统地检索了MEDLINE、CINAHL、EMBASE和PubMed从成立到2025年3月25日的研究，以确定生活在澳大利亚农村和偏远地区的成人和儿童的癌症诊断和管理的数字健康干预措施。通过数字健康干预类型和结果的计票来综合研究结果。结果共纳入20项研究。其中，12项被归类为有益，8项显示出数字健康干预对癌症诊断和管理的积极影响。视频会议、电话咨询和远程放射学评估模式改善了获得护理的机会，减少了旅行负担和费用，并且通常与高患者满意度有关。然而，通过电话沟通诊断结果仍然是一个持续的挑战。结论数字健康干预措施提高了农村地区患者满意度，减少了出差和搬迁负担，增加了癌症治疗的可及性。为了提高数字卫生干预措施的有效性，建议整合社会心理支持服务，以更好地满足癌症患者的情感和社会心理需求。

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来源期刊

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

5.70%

发文量

121

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH) is concerned with public health issues. The research reported includes formal epidemiological inquiries into the correlates and causes of diseases and health-related behaviour, analyses of public policy affecting health and disease, and detailed studies of the cultures and social structures within which health and illness exist. The Journal is multidisciplinary and aims to publish methodologically sound research from any of the academic disciplines that constitute public health.