Barriers and Supports in eHealth Implementation among People with Chronic Cardiovascular Ailments: Integrative Review

Abstract

eHealth interventions use information technology to provide attention to patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions, thereby supporting their self-management abilities. Objective: Identify barriers and aids to the implementation of eHealth interventions in people with chronic cardiovascular conditions from the perspectives of users, health professionals and institutions. Method: An integrative database review of WoS, Scopus, PubMed and Scielo of publications between 2016 and 2020 reporting eHealth interventions in people with chronic cardiovascular diseases. Keywords used were eHealth and chronic disease. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria application, 14 articles were identified. Results: Barriers and aids were identified from the viewpoints of users, health professionals and health institutions. Some notable barriers include users’ age and low technological literacy, perceived depersonalization in attention, limitations in technology access and usability, and associated costs. Aids included digital education and support from significant others. Conclusions: eHealth interventions are an alternative with wide potentiality for chronic disease management; however, their implementation must be actively managed.