Applications of Telemedicine in Patients with an Ostomy: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To explore the application of telemedicine in patients with an ostomy and assess the current research status. DATA SOURCES The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and VIP (Chinese Scientific Journals Database) databases from the inception of each database to March 2024. STUDY SELECTION A total of 41 articles comparing telemedicine and standard care in ostomy patients were included. DATA EXTRACTION Information was extracted from full-text articles, including author(s), year, country, study design, ostomy type, sample characteristics, intervention type, duration, and outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS In the 41 studies, telemedicine intervention tools encompass social and conference software, mobile healthcare apps, and remote devices. Intervention durations ranged from 4 weeks to 3 years. The intervention content can be categorized into seven key aspects: health guidance, health counseling, psychological care, peer support, medical appointment scheduling, information statistics, and remote visits. Evaluation of these interventions involves measuring outcomes in 10 areas, including quality of life, ostomy knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care ability, stoma complications, participant satisfaction, psychology, coping and adaptation, burden, and health condition. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of telemedicine for patients with an ostomy has had a profound impact. As internet technology evolves, optimization of platforms and longer interventions are needed. Healthcare professionals should enhance their training in online communication. In addition, researchers should design specific, specialized measurement scales based on the characteristics of patients with stomas.