The Impact of Telehealth on Chronic Disease Management in Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Telehealth, the use of technology to deliver healthcare services remotely, has gained significant attention in recent years as a potential solution to improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes, particularly in chronic disease management among older adults. This systematic literature review examines the impact of telehealth on chronic disease management in older adults, aiming to synthesize existing knowledge and identify gaps for future research. The review encompasses a comprehensive analysis of studies focused on telehealth interventions for chronic disease management in older adult populations. The introduction section provides an overview of telehealth and its relevance in addressing the challenges of managing chronic diseases in older adults. The background of the study explores the current landscape of chronic disease prevalence among older adults and the potential benefits of telehealth interventions in improving outcomes and quality of life. The problem statement highlights the gaps in existing literature and the need for a systematic review to consolidate findings and inform future research directions. The objectives of the study are to analyze the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in chronic disease management, identify the types of telehealth technologies utilized, assess patient and provider satisfaction, and evaluate the barriers and facilitators to telehealth adoption among older adults. The limitations of the study are acknowledged, including potential biases in the selected literature and variations in study designs and outcomes. The scope of the study includes a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles published in the last decade, focusing on telehealth interventions for chronic disease management in older adult populations. The significance of the study lies in its potential to inform healthcare providers, policy-makers, and researchers about the current state of telehealth in chronic disease management and its implications for improving care delivery and patient outcomes. The structure of the thesis outlines the organization of the review, including the introduction, literature review, research methodology, discussion of findings, and conclusion. Definitions of key terms used throughout the thesis are provided to ensure clarity and understanding of the concepts discussed. The literature review chapter synthesizes existing research on telehealth interventions for chronic disease management in older adults. The review encompasses ten key themes, including the effectiveness of telehealth technologies, patient engagement and empowerment, provider perspectives, patient outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and barriers to implementation. The research methodology chapter details the systematic review process, including search strategy, selection criteria, data extraction methods, and quality assessment of included studies. The chapter also discusses data synthesis techniques and the rationale behind the chosen methodological approach. The discussion of findings chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the key findings from the included studies, highlighting the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in improving outcomes, enhancing patient-provider communication, and addressing barriers to care access among older adults with chronic diseases. The chapter also explores the implications of the findings for future research and clinical practice. In conclusion, this systematic literature review provides valuable insights into the impact of telehealth on chronic disease management in older adults. The review highlights the potential of telehealth interventions to enhance care delivery, improve patient outcomes, and promote patient engagement in self-management. Recommendations for future research and practice are discussed, emphasizing the need for further studies to address gaps in knowledge and enhance the implementation of telehealth in geriatric care settings.