How do patients perceive the benefits and challenges of using mHealth applications for managing chronic diseases across different cultural and economic contexts; systematic review

Abstract

Mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as important tools for supporting the management of chronic diseases by enabling patients to monitor their health, access health information, and communicate with healthcare providers. As the global burden of chronic diseases continues to rise, understanding patients’ experiences with these technologies across different cultural and economic contexts has become increasingly important. This systematic review aimed to explore how patients perceive the benefits and challenges of using mHealth applications for chronic disease management. A systematic search of relevant databases was conducted to identify qualitative studies examining patients’ experiences and perceptions of mHealth technologies. The included studies were critically appraised, and their findings were synthesized using thematic analysis. The review revealed that patients generally perceived mHealth applications positively, highlighting benefits such as improved self-management, greater access to health information, enhanced symptom monitoring, increased motivation, and better communication with healthcare professionals. Many participants reported feeling more empowered and engaged in managing their conditions. However, several challenges were also identified, including concerns regarding privacy and data security, technical difficulties, limited digital literacy, language barriers, and inconsistent internet access. Economic constraints and cultural beliefs were found to influence the adoption and continued use of mHealth applications, particularly in low-resource settings. Differences in health literacy and technology familiarity further affected patient experiences. Overall, the findings suggest that while mHealth applications offer significant potential to improve chronic disease management, their effectiveness depends on addressing technological, cultural, and socioeconomic barriers. Future mHealth interventions should be designed to meet the diverse needs of patients and promote equitable access across different populations and healthcare settings.