Women's Needs and Experiences of Using Digital Technologies for Gestational Diabetes: An Integrative Systematic Review

Abstract

Digital technologies help with GDM women's dietary and exercise management. Existing evidence only measures the technologies from outcome aspects and gives information on general indications for technology development. This systematic review aims to integrate findings from primary research to investigate the experiences of women using the patient interface of GDM digital technologies and their preferred/suggested features. Methods: An integrative review methodology including quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies from electronic databases, grey literature, and government websites. Results: Women's experiences and needs of using GDM digital technologies were synthesised into five overarching themes: educational information, coaching components, data management, healthcare professional remote services, peer support features, and functionality and features. Conclusion: This systematic review gives information on the variation of available features across technologies and specific features that were preferred/disliked by the women.