Self-management eHealth solutions for menopause - a systematic scoping review

Climacteric. 2024 Jun;27(3):255-268. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2024.2334035. Epub 2024 Apr 29.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review was to highlight the current scientific evidence on eHealth-based information tools for menopause in terms of quality, requirements and previous intervention outcomes.

Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Global Health Database [Ovid], Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov [NLM], LIVIVO Search Portal [ZB MED] and Google Scholar) from 1974 to March 2022 for relevant records.

Results: Our search yielded 1773 records, of which 28 met our inclusion criteria. Thirteen of 28 selected studies were cross-sectional with qualitative content analysis of websites about menopause; 9 studies were cohort studies examining the impact of an eHealth intervention; two studies were randomized controlled trials comparing eHealth tools with conventional ones; and four studies were non-systematic literature reviews.

Conclusion: This scoping review highlights the potential of eHealth-based information tools for the management of menopause and shows that most eHealth-based information tools are inadequate in terms of readability and the balanced view on information. Providers of eHealth-based information tools should pay attention to a participatory design, readability, balance of content and the use of multimedia tools for information delivery to improve understanding.

Keywords: Digital health strategies; Internet-based services; eHealth solutions; menopause patient journey; patient web portals; reframing menopause; self-management of menopause.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menopause*
  • Self-Management* / methods
  • Telemedicine* / methods